Attempts to find a new home for Dorchester's official beacon has met with a horrified reaction from some town councillors.

The Mayor of Dorchester, Cllr Alistair Chisholm, floated the idea after pointing out that the beacon – the purpose of which is to be seen over a wide area when lit on special occasions – can only been spotted if you happen to be stood close to it in Salisbury Field.

He suggested a higher, more visible site, might be better – possibly on the field at the Duchy's Poundbury estate, next to the rugby club from where you can see the Ridgeway and Maiden Castle.

But his suggestion met with a firm 'no' from some councillors, who suggested that to make a move, or add another site, would be meddling with history.

Cllr Fiona Kent-Ledger said the original site dated back to the time of the Armada, when the field was probably neither tree-lined or surrounded by buildings, and to move it was likely to involve a lengthy consultation and legal process.

"I don't think there is much enthusiasm to have it moved… and if we had two beacons that would just split the town and cause problems," she said.

Cllr Kent-Ledger told a town council meeting that the beacon was still, officially, part of the national warning system, in much the same way that ringing church bells are.

Cllr Molly Rennie was also against a move, or a second site.

"We could all be sent to the tower for suggesting it," she joked, asking for an article in the next town newsletter to explain the history of the beacon and why it is sited in Salisbury Field.

Cllr David Taylor commented: "I think it's in the Town Charter. It was put there for historical purposes, why would we want to move it?"

But other councillors thought the idea of moving the beacon to a more visible site might be a good one and voted to commission a report on what the options might be, if there are options for a move, or for a second site.

Said councillor Les Fry: "We can't move some things but we should at least give this some consideration."

His view was backed by Cllr Susie Hosford, who said it was worth looking at the options of "a site for the modern age".

Cllr Richard Biggs said he remained open-minded on the issue, adding that he thought the beacon site had been chosen because the town gallows were once there.

"We shouldn't make a decision until the research has been done… it might be a 'no, no' but we should find out," he said.

The discussion was prompted by a request for the town to light the beacon to mark the 80th anniversary of D-Day in June 2024.