THE weather and natural forces are being blamed for damage at a historic Dorchester site.

A number of rocks at the back of County Hall in Dorchester, on the path leading down to the Roman Town House and within a few yards of dozens of offices which overlook the historic site are showing signs of wear and tear - despite being there for centuries.

One large boulder, at the start of the path, is badly damaged on its top and sides with large fragments of loose rock – with at least four other stones also showing signs of damage as the path descends, appearing as if sizeable chips have been hammered off their edges.

When asked if the damage was caused by vandalism a Dorset Council spokesperson said not – infact, the authority believe it is all down to the weather and natural forces.

According to County Hall the damage has been caused by spalling, a freeze-expand process entirely natural where moisture freezing inside cracks in rock, expands causing large forces which split shards of stone, or spall, off the outer surface.