THE historic Maumbury Rings monument is in line for a facelift as Dorchester's famous landmark heads into a new future.

Improvements are already under way with a pavilion being built next to the site.

Deputy town clerk Steve Newman said more improvements were in the pipeline, including a path so that disabled people would be able to get right round the site.

He said members of the Dorchester joint heritage committee wanted a refurbishment to enable people to get more out of the site.

The amphitheatre was built as a Neolithic henge in 2500BC and later used by the Romans as an amphitheatre.

Mr Newman said: "We also want to get steps in so that people can get up on to the top of the henge more easily.

"The biggest expense will be new railings that are needed.

"It hasn't been costed yet but the railings would be a significant cost."

New interpretation boards and picnic benches were also planned.

Mr Newman said a brick-built pavilion was being built on adjoining land being developed for housing at the rear of the police station.

He said: "That should be finished by late August or early September and that will provide permanent facilities there including a small kitchen and a toilet for the disabled.

"It couldn't be built on the Maumbury site itself as that is a scheduled monument and very sensitive archaeologically. The pavilion was part of the conditions for the new housing."

The improvements come as a management plan is formulated by the heritage committee. Maumbury Rings land belongs to the Duchy of Cornwall but is managed by Dorchester Town Council.

Mr Newman said the management plan was to help with the monument's long-term preservation in a way that would allow people to continue to enjoy it as an open space.

The plan is still at a draft stage but its aims include reviewing all evidence of the site's archaeology to form a summary and to develop a series of maps recording land use.

He said public consultation was part of the process and would be underway well before the end of the year.

The site is regularly used for a range of events including a fireworks display for Dorchester Carnival tomorrow night.

It has attracted more use this summer because part of the Borough Gardens is closed for refurbishment.

Concerts, a teddy bears' picnic and many Dorchester Festival events have been held at the site so far this year.

Outdoor theatre, historical re-enactments and civic occasions have been held there. But the monument has also hosted gruesome events.

Romans took over the henge in the 1st century AD to stage their brutal style of entertainment and the site was altered during the English Civil War when the earthworks were remodelled as a defence.

Mr Newman said: "It's a lovely place for visitors to enjoy picnics and music but it's had quite a bloodthirsty past with bear-baiting and even executions. People were burned at the stake at Maumbury Rings in the past, though it's a peaceful place now."