Despite complaints about the lack of play facilities for children with disabilities at the Poundbury Great Field, – officially opened recently by Prince Charles – Dorchester does have a swing which can be used by children in a wheelchair.

Opened in February 2019, just before the pandemic, it was the first in the area and is possibly still the only one, and is less than half a mile from the Poundbury new play area.

Dorchester Town Council installed the lockable "ability swing" for those in wheelchairs at the town's Castle Park play area, opposite Prince of Wales School following a request from Denise Smith, the grandmother of Freddie Palmer who uses a wheelchair, and local campaigner Naomi Patterson who had set up an online petition requesting the swing.

The swing cost almost £13,000 with the Big Lottery contributing half the amount.

At the opening Freddie described the swing as "fantastic".

Grandmother Denise was equally pleased saying it would give Freddie the opportunity of playing with his friends and sister in the play area opposite the Prince of Wales school.

There has been widespread criticism on social media of access issues at the new, swish, Poundbury play area, including of some of the edges and soft surfaces which are not suitable for those with mobility challenges.

Dorchester Town Council, which will manage the facility, say the project is not finished yet and more equipment, including a roundabout and a swing for mixed abilities, is yet to come, with time yet to make changes in response to any suggestions about how the area might be improved.