CAMPAIGNERS today blasted the shabby state of Dorchester's eyesore roundabouts and claimed the town was being shamed by Weymouth.

Resident Barry Smith has condemned the overgrown and rubbish-strewn major roundabouts at Monkey's Jump, Kingston Maurward, the Weirs and near Tesco.

He claimed Dorchester was a poor cousin compared to the lavish flower displays and landscaping on islands in Weymouth.

Now Mr Smith, who is a leading light in Dorchester Moose, has urged businesses, colleges and charities to join forces to spruce up the areas.

He said: "The roundabouts are all at entrances to Dorchester and are a load of rubbish.

"It's a real shame as it doesn't look good and reflects badly on the town.

"You go down to Weymouth and their roundabouts look really nice. I don't see why we can't do something like that."

The town's chamber of commerce has also called for the roundabouts to be revamped with decent shrubs and landscaping with a quality county town feel.

Mr Smith, of Middlemarsh Street, Poundbury, said students from Kingston Maurward could pitch in as well as the Duchy of Cornwall, charities and businesses seeking publicity.

He added: "Sponsoring a roundabout could provide valuable publicity for a business.

"Kingston Maurward College students could also become involved, along with garden centres such as Goulds and Wyevale.

"Charities such as Dorchester Moose could also sponsor a roundabout and the islands could take on Dorchester themes such as Thomas Hardy books."

Tesco and McDonald's claimed they would be interested in sponsoring roundabouts in Weymouth Avenue and at Monkey's Jump.

David Evans, spokesman for Dorchester's chamber of commerce, said the traders' group was keen to see the roundabouts improved but needed road maintenance company Connect to support the scheme.

He said: "Kingston Maurward has said it would be happy for its students to landscape the islands and several companies have been looking at sponsorship. It could become self-funding with sponsorship."

The chamber has appointed one of its vice-presidents, Robert Fox, to spearhead a drive to improve the roundabouts.

Leading local firms have said they are prepared to consider sponsoring the roundabouts closest to their businesses.

But Ken Lambert, chairman of Dorchester Town Council's management committee, said the Highways Agency, which is responsible for them, says it is too dangerous.