IS Bournemouth a shoppers' paradise or do you prefer to bag your bargains out of town?

That's the question being posed to residents as the spotlight falls on the quality and range of Bournemouth's shops.

The views of Daily Echo and Advertiser readers will then be taken into consideration as councillors and key partners in the town put together a "town centre vision".

Cllr John Beesley, deputy leader of Bournemouth council, said: "Bournemouth has a lot to offer shoppers - it has all the character that out of town shopping developments so often lack and plenty of stores that attract shoppers from elsewhere but we certainly cannot be complacent.

"Ultimately shoppers vote with their feet - if we don't maintain and enhance the retail offering they'll go to neighbouring towns and that would devastate our economy."

Among the shopping areas encompassed by the vision are Westover Road, Commercial Road and Old Christchurch Road.

Nigel Hedges, vice president of Bournemouth Chamber of Trade, said: "Eighteen months ago, I would have painted a gloomy picture of retail in Bournemouth.

"But the arrival of big names such as Steamer Trading is attracting shoppers from all over, there are far fewer empty units than there used to be and quality traders are coming back.

"With two main high streets, Bournemouth is a town of two halves. Some people see it as two separate towns and to some degree it is. That's why we have to offer different shops and specialist shops to bring people in.

"Bournemouth's strength also lies in its independent and unusual shops. It is essential that Westover Road must remain high quality and the top half of shops should be used for residential to give Bournemouth a captive audience and keep it alive. The Triangle area is badly in need of attention."