Dorset County Council has come under fire for erecting a fence to block a much-used path in Dorchester.

Dog walkers and schoolchildren have used the short stretch of path on Allington Road between the railway bridge and the Trumpet Major pub for years.

But the unofficial route has now been closed off by the county council which has erected a fence at either end.

A meeting of Dorchester Town Council's planning and environment committee heard that investigations have revealed that the fence was erected by the county council.

Coun Tony Lyall said: "This is not a footpath as such, but it is an area that the public has used for many, many years. Suddenly a fence has appeared at either end, stopping people from walking along.

"It appears after investigations that Dorset County Council has erected the fence. I have had long discussions with a highways officer and asked him what his reason is for blocking the path off."

Coun Lyall said he was given three reasons for the move - the first to protect the residents of the nearby Langleybury House from criminal damage, the second for highways reasons and thirdly because the path gets very dark at night.

"I don't see any valid reason for the fence at all," Coun Stella Jones said. "It's a well worn footpath all the way along the road and I think we should be allowed to use that stretch."

Coun Trevor Jones said: "An officer has jumped the gun on this. They should have consulted us."

Councillors agreed to write to the county council to demand the fence is removed and ask an officer to attend a meeting to discuss action.

A spokesman for Dorset County Council said the fence was erected because of concerns about damage to properties nearby.

"There was an inspection as a result. It is dark and unlit and was never intended to be used as a path. The fence is to deter people from using the route while vegetation grows back.

"There was no consultation because it was a highways matter," added the spokesman.