Communities Minister Marcus Jones has issued a "last chance" final warning to councils breaking the rules over publishing their own newspapers.

The move will resonate in Wallasey Town Hall where Wirral Council has decided to produce its own monthly freesheet and has so far distributed two editions.

“I’m offering the small number [of councils] that aren’t playing by the rules this last chance to put their publishing houses in order - or I will use my powers to require them to do so," said Mr Jones.

The warning came as he prepares to take action against three London councils who continue to publish fortnightly newsletters in defiance of government guidelines.

The Department for Communities and Local Government has told the three boroughs they could face being ordered by the courts to cease publication of the newsletters, which are supposed to be printed no more than quarterly.

The boroughs of Hackney, Newham and Waltham Forest have been given 14 days to make further representations to the Secretary of State before potentially being ordered to comply.

The three could face a court order if they fail to do so.

Mr Jones already has sent several warnings to Wirral Council about publishing their "Wirral View" 12 times per year.

His office recently told the Globe the DCLG expects all councils to abide by the "publicity code" which says town hall freesheets should be quarterly and not designed to look like commercial newspapers.

In a statement today on the journalism website Hold the Front Page, Mr Jones said: "An independent free press is vital for local democracy and it’s important that we support them in holding local leaders to account.

“Councils shouldn’t undermine local democracy by publishing their own newsletters more often than quarterly.

“I’m offering the small number that aren’t playing by the rules this last chance to put their publishing houses in order - or I will use my powers to require them to do so.”

Independent advice from a barrister about the legality of Wirral Council's newspaper has been kept secret.

The local authority's legal chief Surjit Tour told a specially-called scrutinty committee meeting held in August that it could not be revealed as it was "commercially sensitive."

In a debate in the House of Commons earlier this week Mr Jones showed the Government had Wirral View in its sights.

In response to a question asked by Wallasey MP Angela Eagle about the council having a "black hole" in its social services budget, Mr Jones replied: "We have enabled councils to raise additional funding through the adult social care precept.

"But this is all about priorities and the way in which local government allocates its finance.

"The honourable lady might want to have a word with her local council leader and group - as they have sought to spend £270,000 on a propaganda newspaper.

"Is that good value for money when they say that they need more for social care?"

Wirral's ruling Labour group says there is an "information deficit" in the borough and that costs of Wirral View will be met from existing advertising and marketing funds.

Wirral Council's top brass visit home of controversial Hackney Today newspaper.