West Dorset MP, Chris Loder has said Dorchester Town Council needs to "prioritise on what matters to our county town" after it was announced it would bid for city status as part of the Queen's 2022 Platinum Jubilee celebrations.

Councillors have argued that the status would reflect its importance as county town and the growth seen in recent years.

Mr Loder said: "Dorchester is, and always has been, our county town. People living here simply do not want to live in a city. City status will carry a range of planning implications and changes that will be both unwanted and unnecessary.

"We need to see off harmful projects such as the north of Dorchester development proposal first before we lose focus chasing city status."

Residents have taken to social media to share their views.

One said: "The county town of Dorset should be the city of Dorset. I don't think it will be so after the past failed attempts."

Another said it was a "vanity project" while another resident called it "another way to waste money".

One resident said: "[The] town council should give incentives to new businesses in the town in the way of reduced rates and subsidies on rents. If I went to a 'city' I'd totally expect a varied range of shops, have coffee and food in a multitude of eateries and pubs and visit history."

Mr Loder added: "When Cllr Jones stated that Dorchester's previous application several years ago was unsuccessful because Dorchester 'wasn't good enough' I find that insulting to our town.

"The deep historic and cultural value of our county town does not need to be ratified or proven by city status. To read what Dorchester Town Council has proposed has left me shocked, but not surprised given the history of the Liberal Democrats for going against the grain of what their electorate want."

Dorchester Town Council has been contacted for a comment.

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