SHOPPERS in Dorch-ester have been singing the praises of their local area.

Volunteers hit the streets of the county town to ask people if they loved where they lived.

The team from the CPRE (Campaign for the Protection of Rural England) and the Dorchester Stop the Drop anti-litter campaign took part in the national ‘Love Where You Live’ initiative in a bid to get people to take more pride over their local area.

After setting up a stand in South Street, they interviewed nearly 200 local residents and recorded what they loved about their home town or village as well as what they didn’t like.

One of the organisers, Bob Kerr, said that while the vast majority of people were enthusiastic about where they lived, there were some common themes of discontent.

He said: “By far the greatest number of people who lived locally loved where they lived, mentioning the proximity to both the countryside and the sea.

“Criticism was somewhat limited, and focused on West Dorset District Council’s building work and plans for the Charles Street development in Dorchester where new council buildings and a library are currently under construction.

“Another gripe often mentioned was that of housing development, with some feeling against the extent of new building work while others considered not enough affordable housing was planned for young people starting out.”

The results from the interviews will be collated and sent on to Dorchester Town Council, West Dorset District Council and Dorset County Council.