Christmas is coming and the Hollywood product is getting fatuous, so it comes as a pleasant surprise to discover that Ron Howard's live-action version of the Dr Seuss classic is an enchanting fairy-tale. Inside a snowflake, high atop Mount Crumpit, lives
THE Tesco blackmailer has stepped up his campaign of terror by claiming to have planted a bomb in a garden somewhere in Ferndown. Police have called in dozens of officers to search roads in the town where an explosive device, possibly resembling copper
DEVELOPERS who were told to go back to the drawing board with their plans for dozens of flats on the site of a Ferndown hotel have done exactly that. This time Taywood Homes' proposals for the Coach House site in Wimborne Road East are recommended for
SEAFRONT residents are walking tall after a high-rise development plan was finally sunk by a government inspector. Christchurch council rejected proposals by Pennyfarthing Construction Ltd to build two three-storey blocks of flats at the junction of Southcliffe
A YOUNG cancer survivor says she may be forced to leave her home because of a proliferation of phone masts. And residents are up in arms as a second mast looks set to go up even nearer their houses, a year after they lost their first hard-fought battle
AT the sharp end of aviation innovation, he spent seven years designing engine systems for Concorde. Yet ironically, Bill Squibb of Swanage has never flown in the prestigious delta-winged, drooped-nosed aircraft. And so busy is he in retirement, in his
EAGER volunteers have completed Wareham's last millennium project - the repainting of the town's South Bridge landmark. The town council's millennium committee members braved heavy rain but then managed to complete the job two weeks later thanks to better
CHILDREN from Bournemouth and Poole are to appear in a new TV game show this month. Five pupils from the areas' Stagecoach schools will appear on Meridian's 'Parents Know Best', hosted by Lorraine Kelly, on December 11 and December 19. Bradley Millard
WILY campaigner Peter Grant has warned his team-mates to guard against complacency as Cherries bid to avoid becoming the latest victims of a giant-killing act. Sean O'Driscoll's troops will be looking to overcome a potential banana skin when they face
POPPIES' difficult run of fixtures continues tonight as they line-up against Dr Martens Premier Division Havant and Waterlooville in the Hampshire Senior Cup third round. Victory over Eastern Division Bashley three weeks ago set up the clash at Victoria
Dorset Senior Cup Third Round BADGER SPORTS 1 PORTLAND UNITED 4 THE Combination champions recovered from an early shock to overcome their Dorset League One opponents and claim a place in the fourth round of the Dorset Senior Cup, writes David Swain. Sports
TWO of Dorchester Athletic Club's must promising 13-year-olds are celebrating after being ranked in the country's top ten at their age. Lauren Davies is ranked fourth in the UK after her shot put of 9.52m set a new county record. She is also ranked at
DEVELOPERS who were told to go back to the drawing board with their plans for dozens of flats on the site of a Ferndown hotel have done exactly that. This time Taywood Homes' proposals for the Coach House site in Wimborne Road East are recommended for
AFTER more than two years of planning, fundraising and a fair few sleepless nights, the Weymouth Tandoori Cricket Club has finally made it to Delhi. And what a welcome the tour party received after stepping off the plane at Delhi airport in the early
TWO of Dorchester Athletic Club's must promising 13-year-olds are celebrating after being ranked in the country's top ten at their age. Lauren Davies is ranked fourth in the UK after her shot put of 9.52m set a new county record. She is also ranked at
A £1.6 MILLION crime-busting scheme for the New Forest's town centres has moved a step closer to becoming a reality. Plans to set up a spy camera network across towns such as Ringwood, New Milton and Lymington were given the green light by New Forest
SHOPPERS from Dorset were aboard a coach which overturned in an horrific accident. Passengers were heading to Dorchester and Wareham after a Christmas shopping trip in Europe when part of a road collapsed toppling the coach over. The accident happened
TWO West Dorset beaches have failed the latest bathing water tests. Church Cliff at Lyme Regis and Seatown beach, near Bridport, fell below the required standards of cleanliness during the past holiday season. Sewage and other pollutants - boosted by
A CUT-price stamp promotion at Safeway supermarkets could signal the end for struggling rural post offices, it was claimed today. Safeway and the Royal Mail have been accused of taking valuable Christmas business away from small post offices after the
WEYMOUTH and Portland are to host a major new bid to improve the survival rate of injured birds involved in environmental disasters. The RSPCA is launching a project to compare how different ways of caring for the birds improve their chances of survival
NEW security cameras may be installed in Weymouth's multi-storey car park to boost the resort's crimebusting CCTV scheme. Owners Britannia Parking are set to lodge an application for government funds for the closed circuit television (CCTV) in Commercial
SCHOOLGIRL Megan Clark has been given the stamp of approval by Blue Peter after becoming a star contributor to its annual appeal. Along with Becky Kimber, Laura Boatswain and Tammi Bradbury, Megan has collected an amazing 40,000 stamps for the children's
FLASHING Christmas tree lights will soon be hot property as the Mayor of Weymouth and Portland launches a new festive competition. Mayor Sandra McGown has entered into the seasonal spirit by organising a best house and garden illumination display. She
TWO West Dorset beaches have failed the latest bathing water tests. Church Cliff at Lyme Regis and Seatown beach, near Bridport, fell below the required standards of cleanliness during the past holiday season. Sewage and other pollutants - boosted by
A DORSET holiday company boss who went bust owing £439,000 has been banned from running any company for five years. Assistant Official Receiver Simon Smith told Weymouth County Court that Anthony Harding owned Summer Cottages Ltd, based in Dorchester,
WEYMOUTH and Portland are to host a major new bid to improve the survival rate of injured birds involved in environmental disasters. The RSPCA is launching a project to compare how different ways of caring for the birds improve their chances of survival
HOSPITAL bosses have rewarded long-serving staff for their loyalty at a ceremony in Dorchester. Fifteen staff members from West Dorset General Hospitals NHS Trust are to receive recognition for 30 years' service in the National Health Service. And ten
FRUSTRATION is growing over the long, drawn-out process of regenerating Bridport. But for things to happen, it is vital that the whole community is fully involved in shaping the town's future. That was the message from town co-ordinator Stephanie Sutton
THIRTY new manufacturing jobs have been created at expanding Dorset firm Rollalong Ltd. The Woolsbridge-based provider of modular and portable buildings announced a record annual turnover of more than £30 million after a year of continual growth. Rollalong
COMPANY motorists are spending increasing amounts of time in their cars, prompting calls for manufacturers to reveal more details about the materials used in their interiors. Health and safety at work has taken on a new status in recent years but Lex
FINDING industrial development sites in Dorset is proving harder than ever, warn architects and surveyors. Time-scales for new development are longer than at any time in the past, report Christchurch architects the Quorum Partnership. Planning controls
INJURY-RAVAGED Dorchester bowed to the inevitable in the second-half of their FA Trophy tie at Harrow after suggesting they might just buck the odds before the break. Probably the least experienced side to represent the Magpies for a number of seasons
HOMELESNESS figures in Christchurch continue to fall - but fears have been expressed that new-comers to the town are jumping the housing queue over local people. The latest round of homelesness and housing register statistics were revealed at Christchurch
SEAFRONT residents are walking tall after a high-rise development plan was finally sunk by a government inspector. Christchurch council rejected proposals by Pennyfarthing Construction Ltd to build two three-storey blocks of flats at the junction of Southcliffe
A SCHEME to allow elderly and disabled people half-price bus travel has been given the go-ahead. Bournemouth councillors voted to agree a joint concessionary travel scheme with Poole which will give pensioners a free annual pass allowing them to pay half
MP IAN Bruce is calling for zero tolerance on loutish behaviour to tackle the problem of vandalism in Swanage. The South Dorset MP is lobbying the Crown Prosecution Service, Dorset's Chief Constable and the Home Office to secure greater powers for local
WEYMOUTH will await the outcome of a pitch inspection before setting off for their Dr Martens Cup first round tie at Newport Isle of Wight tonight, ko 7.45. More heavy rain overnight has cast doubt on the fixture with an island-based referee is due to
ONE Dorset County Council worker has resigned and three others have been given final written warnings after an internal investigation into misuse of the internet at work. A case against a fifth county hall worker has been adjourned while further information
CHURCHES in Dorchester were filled with candlelight for a series of Christingle services. All three of Dorchester's churches held the special services with youngsters creating their own Christingles - which symbolise the light of Christ - from oranges
CHURCHES in Dorchester were filled with candlelight for a series of Christingle services. All three of Dorchester's churches held the special services with youngsters creating their own Christingles - which symbolise the light of Christ - from oranges
WATER workers will be tearing a strip off a colleague to raise cash for the Joseph Weld Hospice. Wayne Milnes, 31, has volunteered to have his chest and back waxed for the hospice in memory of his wife Wendy. Wendy died of cancer last year at the age
A £1.6 MILLION crime-busting scheme for the New Forest's town centres has moved a step closer to becoming a reality. Plans to set up a spy camera network across towns such as Ringwood, New Milton and Lymington were given the green light by New Forest
HELP! Guides are in dire straits in Verwood with no lavatories, a kitchen that could be closed any minute and a hut falling apart around them. Their dream of a new building has receded into the distance as the tenders have come in much higher than expected
A LIGHT aircraft crashed into a field, narrowly missing the M25, because the pilot had failed to check fuel levels, a court has heard. Just 25 minutes into the flight both engines cut-out, sending the Cessna T337 plunging to the ground. Pilot-in-command
CHURCH leaders have been told that St Osmund's Church in Poole may be beyond repair. The prestigious building was closed last month following reports that two of its ceilings are on the brink of collapse. But a year-long survey on the state of the entire
BEACHES across the region - from Christchurch to Purbeck - have passed the latest EC bathing water quality tests. The strict standards are used to determine which resorts receive the prestigious Blue Flag Awards for having the cleanest water. There has
MARK Loram reiterated today he did not foresee a problem over signing a new contract with Poole. The newly-crowned BBC South Sports Personality of the Year announced he would be returning to Wimborne Road next season when he picked up the award. Loram
BEACHES across the region - from Christchurch to Purbeck - have passed the latest EC bathing water quality tests. The strict standards are used to determine which resorts receive the prestigious Blue Flag Awards for having the cleanest water. There has
CHURCH leaders have been told that St Osmund's Church in Poole may be beyond repair. The prestigious building was closed last month following reports that two of its ceilings are on the brink of collapse. But a year-long survey on the state of the entire
FORMER Dean Court star Dave Town has billed tonight's LDV Vans Trophy opener between Cherries and Dover Athletic as a beauty and the beast clash. Town was on the receiving end of a 4-1 thrashing by Dover when he made his first start of the season for
Club Games WEYMOUTH 17 DORCHESTER A XV 14 THESE teams met for the third time this season and this result puts the Seasiders in front by two victories to one. As expected there was very little between the two sides and the lead changed hands three times
WEYMOUTH have been given a testing FA Trophy draw away to Nationwide Conference side Dagenham and Redbridge, beaten Wembley finalists in the competition just three years ago. The Essex club once managed by former Weymouth boss Graham Carr will play host
WILY campaigner Peter Grant has warned his team-mates to guard against complacency as Cherries bid to avoid becoming the latest victims of a giant-killing act. Sean O'Driscoll's troops will be looking to overcome a potential banana skin when they face
A DORSET holiday company boss who went bust owing £439,000 has been banned from running any company for five years. Assistant Official Receiver Simon Smith told Weymouth County Court that Anthony Harding owned Summer Cottages Ltd, based in Dorchester,
WATER workers will be tearing a strip off a colleague to raise cash for the Joseph Weld Hospice. Wayne Milnes, 31, has volunteered to have his chest and back waxed for the hospice in memory of his wife Wendy. Wendy died of cancer last year at the age
HOSPITAL bosses have rewarded long-serving staff for their loyalty at a ceremony in Dorchester. Fifteen staff members from West Dorset General Hospitals NHS Trust are to receive recognition for 30 years' service in the National Health Service. And ten
FRUSTRATION is growing over the long, drawn-out process of regenerating Bridport. But for things to happen, it is vital that the whole community is fully involved in shaping the town's future. That was the message from town co-ordinator Stephanie Sutton
ONE Dorset County Council worker has resigned and three others have been given final written warnings after an internal investigation into misuse of the internet at work. A case against a fifth county hall worker has been adjourned while further information
SHOPPERS from Dorset were aboard a coach which overturned in an horrific accident. Passengers were heading to Dorchester and Wareham after a Christmas shopping trip in Europe when part of a road collapsed toppling the coach over. The accident happened
A CUT-price stamp promotion at Safeway supermarkets could signal the end for struggling rural post offices, it was claimed today. Safeway and the Royal Mail have been accused of taking valuable Christmas business away from small post offices after the
NEW security cameras may be installed in Weymouth's multi-storey car park to boost the resort's crimebusting CCTV scheme. Owners Britannia Parking are set to lodge an application for government funds for the closed circuit television (CCTV) in Commercial
SCHOOLGIRL Megan Clark has been given the stamp of approval by Blue Peter after becoming a star contributor to its annual appeal. Along with Becky Kimber, Laura Boatswain and Tammi Bradbury, Megan has collected an amazing 40,000 stamps for the children's
TWO West Dorset beaches have failed the latest bathing water tests. Church Cliff at Lyme Regis and Seatown beach, near Bridport, fell below the required standards of cleanliness during the past holiday season. Sewage and other pollutants - boosted by
FRUSTRATION is growing over the long, drawn-out process of regenerating Bridport. But for things to happen, it is vital that the whole community is fully involved in shaping the town's future. That was the message from town co-ordinator Stephanie Sutton
MARK Loram reiterated today he did not foresee a problem over signing a new contract with Poole. The newly-crowned BBC South Sports Personality of the Year announced he would be returning to Wimborne Road next season when he picked up the award. Loram
CABLE & Wireless Communications is scheduled to complete a fast-track contract to erect a 6,000sq ft building in Creekmoor this month. The building will form part of a new fibre-optic link which CWC is bringing into the UK via Bude in Cornwall. The
VICTORIA Cole, a senior training consultant at Chase Manhattan Bank has been recognised by the Institute of Management, and Bournemouth and Poole College, for special achievement over the last academic year. She attended the institute's Diploma in Management
CLUB 8 Company, the Danish furniture manufacturer for the group's international chain of 100 BoConcept retail stores, has decided to base its UK operation in Bournemouth. The designer furniture retailer recently launched its second UK store in Bournemouth's
BEACHES across the region - from Christchurch to Purbeck - have passed the latest EC bathing water quality tests. The strict standards are used to determine which resorts receive the prestigious Blue Flag Awards for having the cleanest water. There has
