Vegetation covering a Dorchester road sign pointing to the county hospital's accident and emergency, maternity unit and children's centre in is to be cut back – but not until November.

Dorchester independent councillor Les Fry took up the issue after it was realised that anyone looking for directions to the hospital would get little or no help from the road sign near Damers Road rail bridge, because it is covered in vegetation.

He said he has been told the work will be carried out in the second week of November – four months after the problem was notified.

Cllr Fry acknowledges that local people are likely to know where the medical units are located, but said the sign should be uncovered and visible, for the sake of visitors to the area who might need the Dorset County Hospital services in a hurry.

He has also raised the issue of overgrown vegetation at other locations in the county town with Dorset Council.