The height of a security fence for a Dorchester school is to be reduced, in places, after concerns from neighbours.

St Osmund's Middle School is planning a 2.4metre tall green metal fence for its 10-acre site, described by some councillors as 'prison-like.'

Town councillors heard this week that the section close to Standfast Walk would now be reduced to 1.8 metres and moved further away from homes, within the school grounds.

But the school says it will not change the density of the fencing – claiming that if it had larger holes in it, people would be able to climb over.

Cllr Rory Major has suggested that the school consider a planting scheme to run alongside the fence which would soften its appearance.

The town's planning committee has also called for the new fencing to include small ground level holes to allow hedgehogs to continue travelling through the area at night.