Sutton Council has said it will remain a pilot area for the Government's "big society" plans, after Liverpool City Council announced it was going to withdraw its involvement.

Four councils nationwide were chosen as pilot areas for the scheme, aimed at giving community groups and volunteers more control over services.

But Liverpool City Council leader Joe Anderson said Government cuts had threatened the future of many local volunteer groups and he could no longer support the initiative.

But Councillor Sean Brennan, leader of Sutton Council – one of the other pilot areas – said the authority would continue to take part in the scheme.

He said: “It’s disappointing that Liverpool has pulled out of Big Society but we will continue to support it because we believe in the principle and taking part in local life is part of our DNA.

“The Big Society is actually very simple; it’s about local people knowing what’s going on, being able to have their say and get involved in the running of their area if they want to.

“Our experience of the Big Society is that many people in Sutton are not just willing but enthusiastic to play a more active role in their communities if you involve them in the right way.”