DORCHESTER'S car clamping nightmare could soon be over.

Dozens of families have criticised a clamping operation in the Somerleigh Road area of the county town in recent months.

The row hit the headlines when a post office van was clamped while carrying out delivery rounds.

The clampers were employed by Wessex Place Management to control parking levels, because cars were said to be blocking private roads.

Residents and councillors joined forces to call for the roads at the centre of the row to be formally adopted by Dorset County Council highways department.

Now both Wessex Place Management and roads officials say the clamping misery could soon be over.

A Wessex Place Management official, who asked not to be named, said: "We are looking at the possibility of the road being adopted.

"It is also possible we could pay for a traffic regulation order for double yellow lines to be put in place. But a lack of parking wardens at night means the estate would become a nightclubbers' car park.

The official said that Wessex Place Management did not profit financially from the clamping operation.

Peter Baker, the county's new roads manager, said: "The management company has approached us and I can confirm they are considering asking for the road to be adopted. We have given them guidance on what steps to take now."

Mr Baker said he could not predict how long it would be before any adoption happens.

Residents affected by the clamping operation, dubbed 'heavy-handed' by critics, welcomed the development.

Pietra Whithnall, who lives in Alexandra Terrace, has pushed for either a residents' parking scheme or yellow lines to be put in place.

Her vehicle was clamped after it was deemed to be parked an inch outside her own privately-owned bay.

Now she hopes the 'nightmare' may soon be over for local residents.

"This is excellent news. It would be fantastic for everyone if the road is adopted .It is what we've been calling for right from the very start. It would be a rational decision and one that would allow residents of Alexandra Terrace to get on with their lives again."

Coun Alan Beard, who has pushed for the clamping to end, said: "The rigorous clamping has been bad news for the town. It affects the life of local residents and also commercial organisations who are afraid to deliver to homes in the area for fear of being clamped.

"The operation has been over zealously enforced. This is welcome news and hopefully a satisfactory conclusion will be reached soon."