A PUBLIC appeal is being made to safeguard an access point to the River Frome at Wareham.

The town council is calling for land at Abbot's Quay to be adopted by Dorset County Council as public highway.

If the scheme is successful it will guarantee public access to the riverside from Tanners Lane and access to a public slipway at the picturesque spot.

The area is popular with anglers and walkers but town chiefs have been frustrated by motorists using it for free car parking.

The adoption bid has been prompted by members of Wareham Town Trust - a 220-strong group which helps safeguard the historic and community interests of Wareham.

Trust chairman Alan Tubbs said: "The potential is if it's not highway then that access to the river could be lost if we are not careful.

"This is to ensure it does not get obstructed - to try to legalise an on-going situation so people can continue to access the river at that point and enjoy the views," he said.

"It is an amenity site as well as highway adjoining the river and it is quite well used by anglers."

Dorset County Council highways chiefs are investigating the history of the area and the issues involved in categorising the land as highway.

The process involves looking at whether the area has public right of access as a highway, public footpath or whether it forms part of a quayside.

Dorset County Council highways engineer John Munslow said: "We are investigating the historic records to make sure we react in the correct way."