DON'T let Dorchester down! - that is the message from organisers of a scheme giving people their say in the town's future.

They fear apathy among Dorchester residents is threatening the success of the scheme after a dismal start to the three-day public consultation exercise.

Last week, a proposed car-free day in the town was scrapped when just two people turned up to a brainstorming session.

Now those behind the new initiative are urging people to ensure the same does not happen again.

People can add their personal vision for aspects of town life to other opinions already collected at the Corn Exchange in High East Street before 9pm tomorrow.

Coun Molly Rennie, who is chairman of the community planning advisory group, said: "Please don't let Dorchester down now! Come to the Corn Exchange and have your say. This is important - this is your chance to have your say in the vision for Dorchester in the future."

She stressed: "Don't assume someone else is going to say it. You must come. We must not fail at this hurdle. If you want to make a difference you must make an input now."

Community planning officer Lynne Saunders admitted the first day had been quiet.

She said: "We are up against it because people will say to themselves 'we've been here before', but the difference now is we have got all three local authorities - Dorset County Council, West Dorset District Council and Dorchester Town Council - working together towards one goal. Don't keep looking back at what's gone wrong. We are trying to look forward. If you don't take this opportunity, you don't have the chance to change things.

"Afterwards we'll have a measured view that the local authorities have a duty to respond to."

People are being invited to stick notes airing their views on a board.

The messages will be collected when the consultation closes on Friday evening and used to form a blueprint for Dorchester's future.

Individual issues will be allocated to the bodies responsible and Mrs Saunders said an action plan would be ready in early August.

Organisers are prompting visitors with a series of suggestions, including the future of Charles Street car park, the possible redevelopment of the brewery site, pedestrian zones around the town, public toilets, CCTV and bus services.