Dorchester'S new mayor last night called for the high street to be pedestrianised.

Coun Richard Biggs was speaking after being sworn in as first citizen at the annual meeting of the town council at the Corn Exchange last night.

He takes over from Coun Tim Harries, who becomes his deputy.

Coun Biggs said when he was last mayor in 1997 the main issue facing the town was the pedestrianisation of High East Street and High West Street - and eight years later it is still top of the agenda.

He said: "After large sums of money in consultants' fees there are two schemes up for final consultation, one of which does not realise the vision that I and most of my colleagues behind me share.

"Special measures are surely required to help preserve the nationally historic high street."

Coun Biggs promised to work hard to promote Dorchester as a fair trade town and somewhere concerned about the environment.

He said: "I do intend to see that this council continues to do what it can to promote sustainable development and act responsibly to reduce our harmful impacts.

"This goes hand-in-hand with our commitment to promote fair trade products, because it is, I think, the right thing to do."

Coun Biggs announced that the mayor's charity this year would be homeless charity the Hub, run by Dorchester Poverty Action Group.

His wife, Carolyn, also a town councillor, is to be the mayoress.

He appointed the Rev Brenda Stephenson of the United Church as the mayor's chaplain.

Speaking after the ceremony, Coun Biggs said: "I am very much looking forward to the year. It should be quite a challenge."