Long grass in Dorchester which has hidden road signs – but been a great benefit to wildlife should all be cut back over the next two weeks.

The news has been welcomed by unitary and town councillor Stella Jones who told a town planning and environment committee it was 'about time' Dorset Council got on with the job as it had left the county town looking untidy.

The lack of mowing has also led to a series of letters to press.

The latest witty epistle on the subject came from Mark Gugan who said "Hats off to the council for running with No Mow May. Give the flowers and fauna a chance. Well done you!

"I hadn't heard about No Mow June – but I can live with that.

"I think, however, that No Mow July would be a step too far. The verges in and around Dorchester are rapidly becoming an overgrown wilderness in which small children could soon be lost."

A 15-minute walk around Manor Park and Victoria Park in Dorchester found plenty of evidence to support the concerns with some weeds now over five feet tall, road signs obscured and some minor road junctions with a distinct lack of visibility for drivers.

Also discovered was tree growth in Edward Road which had completely blocked the pavement and prolific weed growth in nearby drainage channels.

Dorset Council has claimed that by not mowing certain areas it encourages a range of wildlife from insects to birds and is also good for many reptiles. The council has said that where visibility on junctions is likely to be a problem it has continued to mow throughout the spring and early summer.