A £410,000 scheme to improve Wimborne Square will start in January 2012.

East Dorset District councillors got to grips with the four different types of paving that have been chosen for the town centre at a Policy and Resources committee meeting.

The enhancement, to be done by Dorset Works Organisation once special traffic orders come through, will see pavement space more than double in a bid to create a relaxed atmosphere and improve safety.

Loading bays will replace parking spaces, and bus stops will move to West Borough. There will be disabled parking spaces in High Street.

Councillor Pat Hymers said it was better late than never.

“I’m delighted,” she said. “Bring it on. By everybody chipping in their bit we can get an improvement and I hope this is a move towards the High Street being fully pedestrianised.”