A PETITION to save the highly valued Dorchester Tourist Information Centre will go before full council next week.

Emotions have been running high since West Dorset District Council announced a consultation would be launched on two options for the future of the service - to either relocate to Dorchester Library in South Walks House or replace it with an unmanned information point.

The TIC, which has been operating from its current home in Antelope Walk since 1995, welcomes around 170,000 people in per year and has an annual budget of around £153,00 and an estimated net income of £40,000.

District and town councillor David Taylor, who has been one of the faces at the forefront of the petition, described the TIC as the flagship to the town and a vital resource.

A total of 1,400 signatures were officially handed over to councillor Tony Alford at South Walks House earlier this month.

On receiving the petition Cllr Alford said he appreciated everyone's hard work and knew the town felt strongly about the TIC. He said: "We are willing to keep conversation on this open."

Cllr Taylor said: "The petition will be going to full council on Thursday, November 3 at South Walks House at 2.15pm. It is a public event and anybody can attend but if you would like to ask questions to the council you must submit them in writing before. The sooner the better. Nigel Bundy will be presenting the petition, along with myself.

"I am encouraging as many people as possible to come to this meeting to support the flagship of this town.

"I would like to thank everyone for all the wonderful support over the past months. It's great to see an active town in action."

Councillors were told that moving to Dorchester Library would save the service around £99,000 per year, although there would be a one off cost of around £50,000 for the relocation. But campaigners believe that the reduced service that will be on offer at the library will be detrimental to the town.