Weymouth College stonemasonry student Damon Ayer is spearheading a project to celebrate Dorset\'s status as a World Heritage Site.

He plans to transform Foord\'s Roundabout in Wyke Regis, Weymouth, into a \'Gateway to the Jurassic Coast\'.

His design includes a collection of sculptures in the centre of the roundabout, surrounded by a circle of Portland limestone blocks featuring carvings of a wave motif, sea creatures and fossils.

Ayer, 29, who came to Weymouth from America to take the college\'s prestigious HND course in applied architectural stonework, says: "I worked on a roundabout project in France last year and thought it would be great to do a similar project here in Weymouth.

"I approached Weymouth & Portland Borough Council and they have been very supportive. Now Hanson Bath & Portland Stone on Portland have generously agreed to donate the stone."

As we went to press, Ayer had gathered together a team of local stonemasons and sculptors to help him carve the stone at the college during the three days 14-16 June. Weymouth College geology lecturer Alan Holiday helped Ayer come up with ideas for carvings relating to the Jurassic Coast. Holiday says: "The idea of developing a roundabout with a Jurassic Coast theme is original and most interesting.

"The choice of the Foord\'s Corner Roundabout at Wyke Regis is a good one as it will be of interest in itself and arouse further interest in the Dorset and East Devon World Heritage Site. It will also act as a gateway to the Isle of Portland, one of the most undeveloped heritage sites on the Jurassic Coast."

The carvings use motifs developed from illustrations in the World Heritage Site nomination document.

"Hopefully," says Holiday, "it will awaken interest in those visitors who currently visit Portland Bill but then leave without looking further into the long history of the island or the coast, reaching back to 140million years ago in the case of Portland stone."The feature will also form a long-term legacy for those involved in the development of the idea and be a sign of the great skills developed by stone carvers who have been established in the area for hundreds of years."

Sarah Butterworth, Arts Development Officer for the borough council, added: "This project could be the start of a prestigious public art programme for the Heritage Coast.

"The council is fully in support of arts-based developments that lead to an increased interest and appreciation of the area.""