AN extreme sport - which in Britain is only staged in Swanage - is failing to impress planning chiefs at Purbeck District Council.

Civic chiefs have decided to issue an enforcement notice to stop Zorbing activities on land near Swanage after listing a series of planning concerns.

Zorbing involves being harnessed inside a huge inflatable ball and being rolled downhill.

The idea comes from New Zealand and the Swanage Zorb is the first in Britain and has been operating for the last two years.

Owner Paul Knight hopes to persuade planning chiefs that the activity is worth saving for Purbeck.

He said: "We are in negotiations with the planning department - our business is growing and we are bringing a lot of people to the area.

"This is a unique thing in the UK and it is a lot of fun. It is also raising money for charity - we've held two all-day events so far which have raised £8,000 for the Anthony Nolan Bone Marrow Trust and we've got others planned."

Planning chiefs have refused to grant planning permission for the activity on the grounds it has a "detrimental effect" on the landscape character of an area of outstanding natural beauty. Highways chiefs at Dorset county council are objecting to the scheme on the grounds that the entrance onto the A351 is a dangerous junction and unsuitable to take any significant increases in traffic.

Cllr Mike Lovell said: "The access there is down a very dangerous lane and to try and get across the road you are taking your life in your hands."

And Cllr Julie Wheeldon described it as "dangerous and it's an eyesore".

Mr Knight said: "We are looking into running a minibus shuttle service from the train station to cut down on traffic. We want to work with the council because we believe this is something good for Swanage."