Dilapidated harbour steps are being demolished at Weymouth quay as part of essential repair works.

It is stressed the steps, close to Weymouth Pavilion, are not of historical importance.

Rumours are circulating that the steps are the same ones soldiers clambered down to board boats to take them to the Normandy beaches for D-Day in June 1944. Concerns have been expressed that removing them would be erasing part of Weymouth's past.

But the original steps were made of stone. They were replaced in the 1950s and 1960s as part of harbour construction work.

Dorset Council will replace the four existing sets of steps with two new sets as part of work due to begin after the summer.

Cllr Ray Bryan, Dorset Council’s Portfolio Holder for Highways, Travel and Environment, said:

“The steps are in an irreparable condition and have been out of use since early 2016. We will be removing them as part of essential repair works to the harbour walls later this year."

The council says the steps will be replaced by two sets of steps which are 'adequate to meet harbour requirements and reduce the maintenance package'. The aim is for the works to be completed by the end of this year.

Ferries have continued to operate in the area.

People are accessing the boats by a ramp down to the pontoon which was installed to mitigate the closure of the steps.