CASTLEPOINT is fully open at last and its bosses are assuring members of the public not to worry if they spot cracks. Boss David Paine says the cracked area of car park has been passed as safe by experts. Now it is full steam ahead. The last of Castlepoint's
LOCAL private schools have gone to the front of the class followed closely by the selective grammars in this year's secondary school league tables, which are published today. The "value added" score in the tables from Key Stage 2 to 4 is the new darling
WINGER John McGrath today revealed he wishes he'd joined Weymouth months ago. The former Aston Villa trainee, who signed for the Terras from Limerick Town earlier this month, initially turned down a summer move to the Wessex Stadium. For the full story
ONE in 10 single people feel out of control of their finances, research on savings showed today. Four out of 10 singles admitted they had suffered a financial crisis, compared with just 28 per cent of married people. IFA Promotion, which markets on behalf
PORTLAND residents could see a 50 per cent hike in their council tax payments to the island town council. Last night councillors voted to host an special meeting that could see a the island precept for a Band D properties jump from £7.99 to £11.99 a year
PROPERTY developer David Stevens today vowed to lodge a planning application next month for the first of 90 affordable homes on Portland. He aims to build 15 houses on a plot at Easton in the first phase of his scheme for low-cost and key worker homes
CUSTOMERS are rallying round to support drivers whose business is under threat. They have backed a campaign launched by private hire drivers in Weymouth against the rigorous enforcement of parking restrictions by council traffic wardens. Drivers risk
ALMOST 100 women have already signed up for this year's Race for Life in Dorchester. Up to 2,000 women are expected to take part in the annual 5km race around Dorchester on June 11 which raises money for cancer research. The women-only race, which involves
DORSET'S rural hedgehog population is in decline, according to new research by Dorset Wildlife Trust. The organisation has been inviting members of the public to record sightings of hedgehogs for a new census. Early figures indicate the largest populations
DISABLED residents in North Dorset have had to face long waits for vital care packages that would make their lives easier. And it has been reported that some have died before the equipment could have been installed in their homes. That's the claim from
POLICE plan to recruit two Safer Neighbourhood Teams in Wareham to target antisocial behaviour hotspots and provide high-visibility policing at weekends. Community support officers, local volunteers and special constables will support regular police constables
"GOOD morning Verwood" - that cry could soon be resounding over the airwaves as a licence is granted for East Dorset's very own radio station. Years of hard work have paid off and regulator Ofcom has granted Forest FM a full-time broadcast licence. It
WEYMOUTH and Portland schools helped Dorset achieve its best-ever exam results in national league tables published today. All Saints' Church of England School in Weymouth was a major success story of 2005, according to the tables - after improving its
A FACTORY that once cooked up favourite Italian foods for the UK is to grab "a pizza" the fish farm action. During the past 12 months the former pizza factory at Gordleton Industrial Estate near Lymington has been transformed into one of the country's
DORCHESTER schoolgirl Becky Cottrell is celebrating after making a big splash at one of the country's top swimming galas. The talented 13-year-old left some of the sport's top youngsters in her wake to scoop four gold medals during the New Year Level
DORCHESTER schoolgirl Becky Cottrell is celebrating after making a big splash at one of the country's top swimming galas. The talented 13-year-old left some of the sport's top youngsters in her wake to scoop four gold medals during the New Year Level
A SCHEME to ease congestion and improve the environment in Dorchester has won backing from county chiefs. The final proposal for the town, which could cost up to £4 million, was unveiled last week and aims to cut traffic queues. Under the proposed Dorchester
A LANDED lord has gone to court over the lease of his land to Bournemouth Airport more than five years ago. The Earl of Malmesbury, whose estates include large areas of Hurn, is suing property agents Strutt and Parker claiming they mismanaged his estate
