FANS have urged councillors to throw their weight behind plans for the permanent siting of a marquee outside Dorchester Town Football Club.

The Dorchester Town Supporters Trust board wants West Dorset District Council to support an application for the facility to stay at the Magpies ground in Weymouth Avenue.

Dorchester Town FC chairman Shaun Hearn has also defended the marquee and stressed its importance to the club and to the town.

The comments come after members of Dorchester Town Council’s planning committee objected to the plan after complaints about noise and urged the district council to refuse it.

Mr Hearn said: “It was never our intention to upset anybody in the community.

“I have heard a lot more positive comments than negative.”

He added: “The club sees itself as the heartbeat of the community.

“Hundreds of people have enjoyed the facility.

“It provides fantastic value for people, particularly allowing people to get married when they might not have been able to afford to otherwise.”

The club has fitted sound barriers, acoustic curtains and a noise limiter to muffle the sound coming from the marquee.

Mr Hearn said that the marquee was also a major source of income for the club.

He added: “The Football club does a large amount in the community.

“It represents Dorchester nationally and I think we do a lot of good for Dorchester.”

Mr Hearn said that the club was looking into a permanent brick structure but had to consider the cost.

The Dorchester Town Supporters Trust is to write to the district council, urging members to support the planning application on behalf of its 168 members.

The trust said: “The marquee supports the vitality and economic viability of the town through the contracts it places with local businesses and the various purchases of visiting fans.”

It added: “This has helped to sustain the club through a difficult economic climate.”