DORSET people have chosen a flag to represent the county after voting in their thousands.

The winning design - flag B in the four choices - was submitted by Dave White of Dorchester.

He said: "We're very pleased about the result - we're glad that when it went to a vote, what we believed has been proven.

"We're thankful for the process that's got us here."

Dave's flag attracted 2,086 votes - 54 per cent of all valid votes - with flag C in second place at 856 votes (22 per cent). Flag D came third with 818 votes (21 per cent) and flag A attracted 108 votes (3 per cent).

In total 3,868 valid votes were received.

A number of votes (222) had to be discounted as they did not include a valid address or for other reasons.

People could vote via email or fill in a voting slip and post it or drop it into a collection box in one of Dorset's 34 libraries.

The four final designs were shortlisted by an independent judging panel from 29 submitted by local people.

Chairman of the panel, Graham Bartram, who is chief vexillologist of the Flag Institute, said: "Many counties are adopting their own flag to show pride in their area.

"Dorset has taken a very democratic approach in inviting people across the county to vote.

"It's clear that Dorset people love their county and are keen to have a flag which represents it. I'm delighted to see that so many people voted."

John Peake, Chairman of Dorset County Council which ran the voting process for the judging panel, said: "It's wonderful that so many people have voted and that we now have a symbol for the county we all love.

"I hope I shall soon see flags flying all over the county and beyond."