Work on a town centre 'masterplan' for Dorchester will start later this month and continue into the autumn.

Town councillors will work up what they think is needed for the county town at an initial meeting on August 23 and then finalise their views in October ready for a public consultation on the proposals, which could begin in November.

Many councillors are not convinced that the Dorset Council Local Plan proposals reflect what is wanted in Dorchester and several have claimed that it fails completely to recognise changes taking place in high street shopping and the trend to close offices and other businesses, converting properties to homes.

Dorchester councillors are also keen to promote the town as a heritage attraction with its range of museums, including the recently re-vamped county museum, and historical connections including to the Romans, Maiden Castle and in more recent times Thomas Hardy and William Barnes.