by Graham Tutthill

The fountain in Dover’s Market Square is to be switched off and covered for the whole of next year.

The decision is expected to cause an outcry from people who were already dismayed at how long it was out of action this year.

A district council spokesman said the closure was due to the number of “exciting events” in the run-up to the Olympics.

“We are looking to switch off the fountain and cover it for the whole of 2012. It has previously been closed from November to April, but next year it will need to remain closed beyond April.

“We are working with Dover Arts Development and Kent County Council to consult on a design to make this an attractive feature to enhance the Market Square, and we look forward to hearing public feedback.”

The existing cover needs to be replaced, so a competition has been held for post-graduate students to design a new “robust, durable and safe” cover which would also be easy to maintain.

Five short-listed designs will be on display in the Curve at the library in Dover Discovery Centre from Monday until December 5.

The best design will be selected in January.