DORCHESTER'S Town Crier says there is plenty to shout about when it comes to the future of the county town.

With plans unveiled recently for an £8.8million arts facility at the Maltings at Brewery Square and renovation projects underway or planned for the Shire Hall and Dorset County Museum, Alistair Chisholm said there is plenty to look forward to.

Plans for the Maltings Theatre were unveiled last month and, with support from the local community, it could open to the public in 2020 - the same year the museum is hoping to complete a major £13million redevelopment project.

With the Shire Hall visitor attracted also set to be completed next spring, the town crier - who is also a town councillor - says things are looking up for Dorchester's cultural and heritage offering.

Cllr Chisholm said: "Hopefully this will raise the awareness of what a fine collection we have in our museum, that we have a fascinating Shire Hall and once again we will have somewhere we can be proud of in terms of putting on a variety of arts and cultural events.

"I hope this will lead to an overall appreciation for just how rich and diverse the story of Dorchester is."

Cllr Chisholm said the town was well placed to welcome more visitors, with two stations making it accessible and the cultural offering would befit its status as the county town.

He added that one thing he would like to see added to the mix was a greater celebration of the town's archaeology for visitors to really appreciate the town's rich history.

He said: "The visitors that are coming her want an experience, they will get an experience in the Shire Hall, they will get an experience in the museum and they will get an experience in the Maltings.

"Why not get the archaeology in there as well?"

Cllr Chisholm said when the new attractions are up and running they will provide a boost to the whole town as visitors discover how much more there is to the town when passing from one venue to the other.

He said: "No matter where you are in town, to get from one attraction to another you are passing over or beside some of the most extraordinary places that have significance and relevance.

"In every corner there is a story to be told."

The excitement will start building at the museum some time before 2020, with the world famous 'Dippy' the Diplodocus from the Natural History Museum stopping at the venue from next February to May as part of a national tour.

The visit is expected to bring in crowds of visitors from the surrounding area.