Changes have been agreed to the Dorchester home of architect turned author, Thomas Hardy, which he might have thought impossible.

Two sections of the modern tarmac driveway at National Trust property Max Gate, in Alington Avenue, are to the lifted and replaced with trial areas of self-bonded gravel.

It is claimed that the new surface will be less prone to weather damage and safer for visitors – several having tripped and fallen on the existing, potted, tarmac in recent years leading to a temporary plastic walkway being laid over the driveway last summer.

The National Trust, which manages the grade I listed property, said that Hardy had the house built to his own design between 1883 and 1885, living and working there until his death in 1928.

Research has shown that before the drive was laid to tarmac, at the time of Hardy's death it was made of loose gravel.

The trust said that the new bonded gravel surface will have a similar appearance to the gravel Hardy would have known, but should be both harder-wearing and also allow wheelchair access, which would be difficult on traditional, loose, gravel.

It will also have the advantage of less dust being trod into the house by visitors and will be more permeable than tarmac.