RESIDENTS of Dorchester went directly to jail to share their views on the future of the town's prison site.

The county town jail threw open its doors to welcome the community as City and Country, the specialist heritage developer that has bought the site, held a consultation event.

Members of the public were invited to share any ideas they had for the redevelopment of the Victorian jail, which closed its doors for the final time in 2013.

There was also an opportunity to raise any concerns as City and Country aimed to get the public involved in shaping plans for the site at the earliest possible stage.

Head of planning Richard Winsborough said that the company did not have plans to show at this stage because they will be informed by the feedback and suggestions put forward by the community.

He said: "I'm very happy to say that we as a company do what I consider to be genuine public consultation.

"Which is why today you don't see any plans of what could happen here - it's just too early to say."

Mr Winsborough said as well as being a chance for his team to meet the community and hear their opinions, it also gave local residents the chance to actually get inside the prison and see it for themselves from a perspective they might not have had before.

The company has also been meeting with local councils and other stakeholders and is due to hold further consultation events in June and September, where the focus will be more on putting forwards its plans for the site.

Mr Winsborough said that City and Country was looking towards submitting a planning application for the site in November.

He said the buildings had great potential and his firm's track record suggested they would do it justice.

Mr Winsborough said: "There is massive potential here and with City and Country we have dealt with such a wide variety of buildings - lunatic asylums, hospitals, you name it we have done it and they all create such amazing spaces.

"I can guarantee it will be stunning both internally and externally."

He added that he was impressed by the 'fantastic' turnout as members of the public packed into the prison to share their views.

Barry Thompson was among the local residents to give feedback on what he felt was important for the future of the site.

He said: "I would like the historic parts to be maintained and if they put housing there I would like to see 30 per cent of it to be affordable housing."

Fellow Dorchester resident Linda Poulsen added: "I would want it to be something of imagination and quality."