Dorset Echo's Olympic book given seal of approval by medallist Nick Dempsey

Nick Dempsey, who wrote the foreword to the Dorset Echo’s Dorset, A Photographic Journey in an Olympic Year admired the photos which include images of the sailing events.

Looking through the pages, he said: “What a lovely book. There are some amazing photographs.

“Looking at this you see Dorset really is beautiful.”

Nick said he hoped the sailing events would bring great things to the area, though we will see what the legacy means in the years to come.” He added: “It’s really hard to tell now what the Olympic legacy will be. Only time will tell.

“But the photographs of Dorset looking beautiful have gone worldwide and hopefully that will show people what a lovely area it is.”

He added that he hoped the Olympians and Paralympians have inspired others to go after their dreams.

He said: “It was such an amazing summer and something that really exceeded everybody’s expectations. Everyone will always remember that time.”

The book follows hot on the heels of our last hugely popular publication, Dorset and the New Forest, which made many bookshops’ Christmas bestsellers lists.

Many of the breathtaking photos in Dorset, A Photographic Journey in the Olympic Year were contributed as part of the Dorset Echo’s photography competition.

The winning entry came from Dorchester’s Ian Alcock, who won the public vote for his early-morning snap of the sunrise at Osmington Mills.

Mr Alcock won £100 to spend at Castle Cameras in Bournemouth and dozens of readers’ photographs are published in the book.

And Nick was especially pleased to see some snaps taken by his friend Paul Reiffer in the book.

Looking at a photo of Pulpit Rock on Portland, he said: “I was with him when he took this.

“I actually have the same picture, except mine’s better,” he joked.

The book is available from the Dorset Echo offices on the Granby Industrial Estate, Weymouth and in Antelope Walk, Dorchester and the Bridport News office in East Street.