Angry visitors have claimed that one of Britain's most famous and best views has been 'ruined' by scaffolding placed in front of it from a nearby house renovation.
Gold Hill in Shaftesbury is perhaps one of the best known backdrops in the UK, after it was used in the famous 1973 Hovis advert.
The 'Boy On The Bike' commercial - consistently voted Britain's favourite - showed a youngster on a bike delivering bread up the steep hill.
The picturesque scene from a bygone Britain was shot in the cobbled Dorset street, and thatched cottages are seen on either side of the scene.
The setting was previously used in the 1967 film version of Thomas Hardy's classic, Far From The Madding Crowd.
Unfortunately, recent visitors have had to cut out much of the scene when visiting, due to an unsightly sheeting being used over a cottage down the hill.
After being sold at auction to someone who lives outside the country in November 2021 for £165,000 - £15,000 over the guide price - it is understood that the property is now undergoing renovations.
Instagram shots from the top of the street now show people having to cut off half the view to avoid getting the building works in shot.
One visitor said: "We drove an hour out of our way to visit the famous Hovis Hill.
"We were really hoping to get some good shots to be able to frame and, of course, for Instagram, but we couldn't really take one in all its glory as there was so much scaffolding on display."
And another added: "Yes, the sheeting is a bit of a shame, it has ruined it a bit."
While a spokesperson for Shaftesbury Town Council has said that they haven't received any complaints regarding the works, they stated the view would eventually look even worse if the works were not carried out in due time.
They added: "The problem is that works do need to be carried out, even in a lovely and picturesque place like this."
Meanwhile, town councillor Piers Brown acknowledged the works, saying: "Although one of the properties at the bottom of Gold Hill is currently undergoing some renovations, fortunately Shaftesbury has a lot more to offer including some of the most scenic views in the whole of the UK.
"All easily accessible by foot, bike and car as well as one of the most vibrant and unique High Streets."
And spokeswoman for Visit Dorset added: "The scaffolding is due to a renovation project bringing an old neglected cottage back to life, however Gold Hill can still be photographed at an angle that cuts out the scaffolding and shows the beautiful Melbury Downs in the background."
Shaftesbury is known as one of Dorset's prettiest towns, with the view from the top of Gold Hill is said to be one of the most romantic.
Melbury Downs features in the background and shows cute old cottages and cobbled streets. And just yards away is Benedictine nunnery Shaftesbury Abbey - which was founded in AD888 for women.
Unfortunately, a planning application which was submitted to Dorset Council in May reveals that the 17th century Grade II-listed cottage has been damaged by water, and consequently needs extensive structural work.
Planning officer Emma Ralphs said: "The site lies within the highly sensitive Gold Hill area of the historic core within the designated Shaftesbury Conservation Area.
"The street, a former historic routeway of local and national significance, incorporates a listed cobbled surface and the high boundary wall of the former Abbey Precinct, listed and scheduled.
"The majority of the properties within the steep street are listed including no.16 and its adjoining no.17 and all of its northern neighbours."
