A NEW flag for Dorset could soon be seen flying, thanks to Dorchester's Dave White.

In red, white and gold, the design incorporates a cross to commemorate St Wite, a West Dorset Saxon saint.

Mr White said he had tried to start the ball rolling a couple of years ago, and some debate began through the columns of the Dorset Echo.

Now, after he and heraldry buff Stephen Coombs came up with a design, the project has gathered some support, and the first batch of flags have been ordered.

He said: "I'm really pleased. This started because I saw something described as a Dorset flag but it wasn't. People tend to get mixed up with Dorset County Council arms - but that represents an organisation, not the county.

"And the county council doesn't include Bournemouth and Poole. This flag would represent the whole county of Dorset.

"We could be seeing the flag flying over Dorset before long - I'd like to see it flying at County Hall."

He said the neighbouring counties of Devon and Wiltshire had devised flags and he and Mr Coombs, who teaches in Sweden, felt Dorset should have one of its own.

He said support had grown since they devised the design and sponsorship has helped them get stickers and badges produced along with the order for flags.

The county's MPs, including West Dorset's Oliver Letwin, have also supported the scheme.

The gold on the flag represents Dorset's beaches, Golden Cap on the Jurassic Coast, Gold Hill in Shaftesbury and the county's fields of grain, as well as a reference to the Dorset Regiment and the Gold Dragon of Wessex.

More information can be found on the website at: www.flagfordorset.org.uk