NORTH Dorset MP Robert Walter has given his backing to the crisis-hit tourist information centre in Blandford amid new hopes the service will be saved.

It was feared the centre, run by volunteer and trustee group DT11 Trading Ltd, might have to close after Blandford Town Council announced it could not provide further funding in the coming financial year.

Mr Walter met with representatives from the centre, as well as those from the town's chamber of commerce, and the Rural Dorset Tourism Association, in Tarrant Keynstone on Thursday.

He said: "Our local tourism businesses and agencies provide a great service to both domestic and overseas visitors.

"It is a time of crisis for the Blandford Tourist Information Centre after the town council withdrew their support.

"I am determined to back the DT11 Partnership and all the volunteers in their effort to keep the Blandford TIC in business."

The town council stepped in to save the TIC last year after North Dorset District Council withdrew funding, giving £2,000 towards the rescue bid mounted by DT11.

But the council has said it cannot provide funding this year as its grants criteria means organisations have to provide a service agreement to qualify for grants on a year on year basis.

The council and DT11 are due to meet this week to discuss a way forward for the service and there are high hopes a path forward will be found.

DT11 chairman Steve Adamson said: "We are continuing discussions with Blandford Town Council and things are looking very positive.

"We are very upbeat about it.

"Everybody understands the town council's position and we do have every sympathy with them.

"There is a great deal of goodwill on both sides to sort this out."

Tourism is the fifth largest industry in the UK and, in Dorset alone, overseas visitors generate income in the region of £125 million a year.