Dorchester'S chamber of commerce members are backing a shopkeeper's fight to get the facts on where their business rates are spent.

Paul Barwick, who runs Harmony Music in the Forum Centre, has gathered so many signatures on his petition against exorbitant rates and council tax, that the chamber is confident it will get all the ammunition it needs to go to West Dorset District Council and demand answers.

The campaign comes after three traders announced their decision to quit the town because of poor trade and high rates.

And Mr Barwick, who says that the district council 'does nothing' for him or his business, says people have been calling in their droves to support him.

He said: "I received a bill for the full year's rates the moment I moved into this place - in other places you would get a bit of breathing space.

"I got no information as to where my money was going, just a bill, and there are no alternatives for people who cannot afford to pay.

"If I sent them a bill with no explanation I think they would have something to say about it. People are so supportive of this campaign.

"We will be talking with the district council within a fortnight."

The chamber's vice-president John Manley, who has run Fordington Builders in the town for the past seven years, said: "I am backing Paul because we cannot let Dorchester become a ghost town."