CLOUDS of uncertainty which gathered over Blandford tourist information centre following a failed bid for town council funding are lifting with renewed talks between civic and tourism chiefs.

Saved from closure last year when cash-strapped North Dorset District Council pulled the plug, the centre in the Greyhound Yard is managed by the DT11 Partnership Trust consortium of local business and tourist trade operators.

But hopes of further cash from the town council, which made an emergency £2,000 grant last year to keep the office open, were dashed when councillors turned down an application from the trust.

Town clerk Trevor Savage explained that the council grants policy did not cover non-charitable status bodies, applications to cover general running costs and funding services that are usually provided by another authority.

He added: "The town council does not wish to see the TIC close; it fully appreciates the benefits the TIC provides the residents of the town and surrounding parishes and the business that it generates for local companies providing services to visitors.

"The town council is already in continuous discussions with the TIC, exploring how it might be able to support the work of the TIC financially or through other ways."

DT11 Partnership Trust chairman Steve Adamson describes the atmosphere of talks between the tourist centre and the town hall as "very amicable and positive".

He said: "The setting-up grant in 2006 was a one-off. We accept that and have to live with the realities.

"Things have moved on and we are having very positive discussions with the town council at the moment looking for ways to produce some medium-term funding.

"I don't know if it is because it is spring, but things are looking an awful lot brighter and a big black cloud has lifted."