WINNIE the Pooh, cheddar cheese, roast beef and Yorkshire pudding - what do they mean to you?

A project, the results of which are published today, has revealed them to be some of the 21 new official icons of England.

They were voted for by the public and selected by a panel of experts.

Other characteristics of the country include the red telephone box, stiff upper lip, the V-sign, English weather, the rose and Mrs Beeton's Book of Household Management.

The online initiative was launched in January and now includes 74 official icons of England.

Icons - A Portrait of England can be found at www.icons.org.uk Each symbol is given the star treatment on the site with in-depth features, quizzes and video clips.

The project was initially funded by Culture Online - part of the Department for Culture, Media and Sport - and has attracted more than 700 nominations with people voting and commenting on their favourite icons.

But how well do the robin, Doctor Who, Rolls-Royce, Sergeant Pepper and other official English things sum up South West Dorset?

Would Maiden Castle, the Cobb at Lyme Regis, the Cerne Abbas Giant and Sherborne Abbey be better icons for our county?

We asked people along Weymouth Esplanade which icons they associate with the area ...

Senior adviser at Weymouth Tourist Information Centre Mike Deadman said: "Weymouth beach is what most people know about along with Portland - the island of discovery, Portland Bill lighthouse and Thomas Hardy. The Jurassic Coast is also an icon.

"Punch and Judy is very British and very traditional on the beach. A good icon for the town is King George and his bathing machine.

"He made the town what it is, or had a good say in it."

Hazel Goddard, 56, a teacher from Weymouth, said: "English weather here tends to be good, with more sunshine.

"I think we get slightly better weather on the south coast. Fish and chips is us. I'm surprised that's not on the English icon list.

"There are lots of good fish and chip shops here.

"Buckets and spades and Punch and Judy, I think just typify seaside resort. Weymouth is great for children. For me it's the actual Heritage Coast. We've got the most beautiful coast going both ways, to Lulworth and Bridport and Golden Cap. The Heritage Coast for me is the best landmark here."

Tony Schrier, who is retired and from Dorchester, said: "Sunshine, sandy beaches, Dorset Blue Vinney, Hall & Woodhouse the brewers - Badger Beer.

"Thomas Hardy, nice chalk hills, Lulworth Cove and Durdle Door and Chesil Beach of course."

Andrew Stone, 64, who is a retired lecturer from Lymington, said: "The Jubilee Clock is a good icon in itself.

"There is the Jurassic Coast and I also think of Hardy and Wessex, Dorset apple cake, and the Dartford Warbler bird - the name's wrong but when we first moved here it only lived in the heathland here."

Anne Cackett, 62, retired, from Weymouth, said: "The beaches, the clean atmosphere.

"Mostly there's good places to visit. They include Monkey World, Dorchester and Poole. Mostly the sea and the sand is what everybody knows Weymouth and Portland for.

"The Nothe Fort and obviously the sailing and town bridge that lifts. Brewers Quay and the Pavilion."