A CAFÉ that helps feed the homeless has been forced to close by West Dorset District Council.

The A35 Café in Top o' Town car park, Dorchester, was given 24 hours' notice to shut while improvements are made to the site.

Now café staff are worried visitors will have nowhere to go for the five weeks it must remain closed.

They have also been left jobless by the move.

Full-time worker Faye Brown said: "Hundreds of people come in every day. It might only be for a cup of tea but it is somewhere where they come. As far as we knew we could stay open and had access for customers at the back of the café."

Bob Matthews, manager of the Hub drop-in centre for Dorchester's homeless, had not been warned of the closure.

His centre provides meal tickets so people can get hot food at the café when the centre is shut at weekends.

Mr Matthews said: "I don't know if we can do anything but we will try and find an alternative.

"I think service users will be concerned. It is going to be difficult for them over the weekends.

"They have always said that you get a really good breakfast there and if that's their only meal of the day it is unfortunate they are going to miss out.

"I feel that had we had some notice we may have been able to put something in place."

Nick Browning, principal engineer for West Dorset District Council, said: "The work is necessary to improve parking for the town.

"We did what we could to keep access open by co-operation but the arrangements were not working and, mainly for health and safety reasons, I have instructed that access across the site to the café should be stopped.

"It's in everyone's interest that the work should be completed as quickly and safely as possible."

The £160,000 improvements at Top o' Town car park began on Monday, May 19. Work will result in 20 more spaces for coaches on Wednesday market days and 30 more short-term spaces.

The improvements also include resurfacing, relining and work on drainage and lighting.