'HOSTILE' benches at a Dorchester railway station have been blasted as a 'design against humanity' by campaigners, who believe metal bars have been fitted to deter homeless people.

Benches on platforms at Dorchester South station are attracting criticism on social media and have been compared to controversial benches in Bournemouth, which caused public outcry last year when similar bars were added to prevent rough sleeping.

Following a campaign initiated by Bournemouth artist Stuart Semple, the metal bars were removed after his attracting the attention of national press.

Stuart Semple now says he believes the problem has re-emerged at Dorchester South station, and says the benches are an example of what he and other campaigners have dubbed 'hostile design'.

South West Trains has denied the claims – a spokesman said that the bars are for "customer comfort" and that they were already in place when the current station manager was appointed.

However, Mr Semple said he's not buying any of it.

"The benches at Dorchester South are 100 per cent hostile design – it's horrendous", he said.

"Being ignorant isn't an excuse for such a brutal piece of design.

"I don't know what they're thinking after what happened in Bournemouth, it's only down the road. It's just bizarre to me."

Mr Semple's protest – which saw benches being decorated with balloons, ribbons and flowers – went viral on social media and quickly gained support from celebrities including rapper Professor Green.

The campaign has now gone global – Stuart Semple's website sells stickers that campaigners around the world have been photographing on other 'hostile' street furniture and uploading to the blog.

Mr Semple said that besides preventing people from lying down, benches similar to the ones at Dorchester South station segregate people from each other.

He said: "I've got a young son – if I was sitting there next to him I might want to put my arm around him – or what about a couple who want to be close to each other?

The artist, who has had works displayed in galleries around the world, said he has already been contacted by concerned members of the public and councillors about the benches, and is now calling on people to make their voices heard.

"Last year we decorated benches for homeless community – it was beautiful.

"That night, officials went out after dark and removed all the bars from the benches.

"People should start a petition, make a fuss out of it and use their voices, even on social media it's amazing how powerful that is".

An SWR spokesman said the arm rests have been fitted to the benches at Dorchester South "for some time.

"They are there for the comfort of customers using them”, he added.