THOMAS Hardy's home at Max Gate is to have a crumbling drive replaced.

The entrance to the Dorchester home of the author had become so pitted and dangerous that the National Trust fitted temporary paths, similar to those used at festivals and outdoor shows.

The unsafe tarmac driveway at the Alington Avenue imposing property will now be lifted and replaced with a self-bonded gravel surface – something which Hardy, who trained as an architect, might have thought impossible.

The new surface will replace, out of character, temporary surfaces which have been laid at the popular visitor attraction, for safety reasons.

It is claimed the new surface will be less prone to weather damage and safer for visitors – several having tripped and fallen on the existing, pitted, tarmac in recent years.

The National Trust, which manages the property, a Grade I listed building, say that Hardy had the house built, to his own design, between 1883 and 1885, living and working there until his death in 1928.

Research has shown that before the drive was laid to tarmac and at the time of Hardy's death it did have a gravel surface.

The Trust say the bonded gravel surface will have a similar appearance to the gravel Hardy would have known but should be both harder wearing and also allow wheelchair access, which would be difficult on traditional, loose, gravel. It will also have the advantage of less dust being trod into the house by visitors and will be more permeable than tarmac.

Also given consent by Dorset Council is the demolition and replacement of an 11-metre long section of insecure and leaning brick boundary wall behind the Max Gate stable building.

The section, like other areas of Max Gate, is believed to have been built either with no, or insufficient foundations, which over the years has been undermined by tree growth with the mortar also degrading.