OLYMPIAN Luke Patience has thrown his support behind a new photographic book that captures Weymouth and Portland’s Olympic and Paralympic journey.

The silver medallist was delighted to snap up a copy of When the World came to Weymouth and said he would keep the memento to share with his grandchildren some day.

Portland’s Luke, 25, sailed to glory at his Olympic debut with crewmate Stuart Bithell in the men’s 470 dinghy class.

He praised the book – published by the Dorset Echo – and said it brought back a lot of good memories from the best two weeks of his life.

Luke said: “It’s cool.

“I think because the Olympics was so special, it only happens once every four years and you don’t know if you’ll ever get to go again so it’s really nice.

“I’ll be able to look back at it in years to come and maybe show my kids and grandkids one day.

“I’m compiling a whole box of mementos and this will be part of it.”

Luke, Stuart and the rest of their Team GB sailing teammates are currently taking a bit of time out before their Olympic classes racing begins again in earnest this January.

The duo, who both live in the Weston area of Portland, have their sights firmly fixed on campaigning for selection to compete at Rio in 2016.

But for now they are happy to bask in the glory of the home Games, which saw them claim their place in the history books.

Dorset Echo editor Toby Granville said: “Our photographers captured so many great shots of the Olympic and Paralympic festivities in Weymouth and Portland that we wanted to showcase the images and celebrate this unique summer in local history.

“We hope our readers will enjoy reliving the time when the eyes of the world were on our borough, when crowds gathered to watch the British sailing team compete for glory on local waters and the Maritime Mix Cultural Olympiad by the Sea brought a wealth of music, dance, drama and art to the south coast.

“I’m delighted that Olympic silver medallist Luke Patience was able to help with the launch of this publication and that he was so complimentary about its contents.

“We wish him well as he campaigns for the Rio 2016 Games.”

When the World came to Weymouth is a high-quality glossy covered publication that costs £3.95.

The photographic book is available at the Dorset Echo offices on the Granby industrial estate, in Antelope Walk, Dorchester and at the Bridport News office.