CAMPAIGNERS are today demanding action to clear up Dorchester's gateway roundabouts amid fears litter louts are putting tourism at risk.

Householders and local dignitaries appealed to people to bin their rubbish instead of dumping it on the roadside, giving visitors to Dorchester an ugly first impression.

Dorchester Chamber of Commerce is involved in negotiations with councillors over a scheme to revamp the town's three main gateway roundabouts, near McDonald's, Kingston Maurward and Tesco.

The scheme would see local businesses put up initial funds and councillors maintain the roundabouts.

Chamber president Richard Thorogood said: "These roundabouts are the gateway to our town and if they look scruffy it gives a bad impression."

He referred to rubbish left near McDonald's on the Monkey's Jump roundabout to the west of the town, calling on branch staff to help control the problem.

Mr Thorogood said: "To show their goodwill McDonald's staff should help clear it up. It's their packaging that is strewn across the area."

Martinstown residents also joined criticism of the McDonald's site, claiming the litter problem extended into the village and could prevent them winning Best-Kept Village title, to be awarded by Dorset County Council in the autumn.

Martinstown Women's Institute president Jean Berry said: "We're not pleased about it. It's an unfortunate fact that people will chuck their rubbish out of cars, regardless of what it does to the countryside.

"It does infiltrate into the village. We try and be a litter-free village and we're trying to win the 2002 Best-Kept Village prize. It doesn't help when that kind of thing intrudes.

"We were not, as a village, happy about McDonald's in the first place. People chuck their rubbish out as they drive through Martinstown."

Coun Tim Harries believed McDonald's was 'doing its best' and said: "People are just being dirty.

"They should pick up their litter and take it home with them.

"It's a lovely area and if people leave rubbish everywhere it ruins it. If we look after it, we will generate more tourism and create better business for the area."

Dog walker Sue Jones, 34, of Cornwall Road, Dorchester, complained a lay-by near McDonald's was 'constantly full of empty drinks and food cartons'.

She said: "I walk my dogs on Maiden Castle and usually park in this lay-by. But there's so much old food there it's unhealthy for the dogs and it's spoiling a beautiful spot."

A McDonald's spokesman said: "We do litter patrols around all our restaurants but there is only so far we can go. We also do what we can to encourage people to dispose of their litter in the right way."