Dorchester councillors are considering plans to make the South Street/Town Pump area more attractive to encourage more people into the town centre.

Plans have been put forward to replace seven heritage lamp posts so that they can be used for more hanging baskets.

The new lamp posts would be installed and maintained by Dorset Council and the 14 new hanging baskets would create a more balanced spread on alternate sides of the street along its length from Cornhill to New Street.

The changes to the Cornhill area will create more spaces for people to sit and rest and a more flexible space to draw people into the town centre for relaxation and entertainment.

The improvements would cost £22,000 and the provision of six new heritage benches and surface and planting work would cost a further £10,000.

In a report to the town council's policy committee yesterday (Monday) tourism development officer Matilda Manley said: "As more people shop online, town centres need to look beyond retail to draw people in. A high street can create a sense of community if it is designed well. It can also improve the social experience and attract more people to town centres."

She pointed out that he paving currently around the Town Pump was not currently accessible. The raised cobbles were difficult for pushchair and wheelchair users to navigate.