The fate of a 12ft high wooden henge built as an art installation at a picturesque Purbeck village will be determined by district planners next week.

Hundreds of people have visited the henge since the owner of Worth Matravers' Square & Compass, Charlie Newman, built it on a whim last summer.

However, it quickly attracted the attention of the district council's planning department - who initially ordered the removal of the structure.

But now Mr Newman has submitted plans for the henge, erected on private land near the village car park, to remain in place for up to two years.

Speaking to the Echo after he built the wooden circle with four friends last year, Mr Newman said: "I'm interested in archaeology and study it as a hobby. I like history as well an the opportunity to build this presented itself after I took down a 25ft tree.

"It was a bit of fun. We used 35 tonnes of timber and made it as an installation - in time for the summer solstice.

"The council has not been unreasonable with me at all, when I asked if we could have a couple of months they agreed."

The henge has since featured on the front page of a local trade and services magazine.

A report from the district council's planing department concludes: "Officers consider it to be somewhat of a novelty structure. The applicant has confirmed he will completely remove the structure within two years.

"It was never intended to be a permanent addition and clearly the logs which it is constructed from will rot over time.

"Officers consider that any harm to the distinctive landscape qualities of the Dorset Area Of Natural Beauty (AONB) will only be for a temporary period and in this instance recommend that planning permission is granted for its retention for two years."

The retrospective temporary planning permission will be determined by the district council's planning committee on January 27.