HALF the resident swan herd at Radipole Lake were struck by a mystery disease and 14 died.

Tests on swans suffering from the mystery illness at the Weymouth nature reserve have not been able to reveal what caused their deaths.

Two survived and were later released back onto the lake.

  •  HURRICANE-strength winds battered the Dorset coastline as the storm, nicknamed St Jude, ripped across the UK leaving a trail of devastation in its wake.

Waves smashed against the beaches and cliffs of the Jurassic Coast and inland trees were ripped up and flung across the roads.

The fastest winds recorded were on Portland where gusts of 97mph were racing across the harbour.

  • ALL secondary schools in south and west Dorset closed amid strike action.

Teachers forced a shutdown of most schools with the one day walk-out over pay, pensions and changes to the education system.

Every secondary and middle school in the south and west of the country closed, with the exception of St Mary’s Middle School in Puddletown.

  • Swimming coach Janet Hewitt, 69, was found guilty of assault by beating when Weymouth Magistrates’ Court heard that she had grabbed a child by the arm after a swimming gala. But the grandmother, of Dorchester, said she was overwhelmed by support from pupils and parents past and present.
  • THE father of five-year-old Max Price made a huge sacrifice for his son by donating one of his kidneys.

It was the Weymouth youngster’s second kidney transplant after his first donor organ failed and had to be removed in January last year.

His new kidney, which Max has called ‘Sam’, is currently doing well.

  • A JURY inquest recorded an accident death verdict for all three fishermen on the Purbeck Isle.

However, the poor condition of the boat led directly to the deaths of the men, the inquest at County Hall in Dorchester ruled.