PUBLIC events could be banned from a popular Blandford beauty spot amid concerns they are harming the environment.

It is one of the options councillors will consider when the future of Stour Meadows comes under the spotlight on Thursday.

In May of this year organisers of the town's Georgian fair were told they could not use the land for a car park following fears over its impact.

Now, councillors are set to draw up a formal policy to safeguard the site.

Policy manager for conservation and design Kevin Morris said: "We want to adopt a considered approach to the meadows.

"While ideally located for events owing to its location, it is particularly vulnerable to damage from organised activities and events both on and off the meadows."

The move comes three years after the council was left with a bill for over £36,000 for clearing up following the now defunct Blandford Music Festival.

In January 2000, councillors agreed that no more than four public events be allowed on the site each year. There was also almost unanimous agreement that events should not be allowed into adjacent areas which were more environmentally sensitive. This included an area to the east of the footpath/cycleway which contains at least one rare plant as well as a summer roost and food source for rare bats.

Fears were also raised that the use of a further area for events would disrupt and put back the establishment of a diversity of habitats including semi-natural meadowland, the lake, wet and damp grasslands and rush pastures.

The debate comes a week after councillors voted to install earthworks at the meadows to stop travellers from invading during the run up to the Great Dorset Steam Fair.