DORCHESTER Town have completed the signing of former Weymouth midfielder Billy Lowes on a one-year deal.

Lowes, who counts Poole Town, AFC Totton and Wimborne Town among his former clubs, arrives at the Avenue Stadium among four new signings by boss Craig Laird.

Laird has also acquired the services of Jake Mawford, Neil Martin and son Callum Laird on 12-month contracts.

Speaking to Echosport after securing the signature of Lowes, Magpies’ manager Laird was delighted to snaffle the dynamic midfielder.

“Billy is a young and exciting player and it looks like he has a good future ahead of him,” he said.

Lowes played 44 games in all competitions for the Terras last season, scoring three goals before joining Wimborne Town on loan.

Utility defender Callum Laird, another former Terra, is the second of the Magpies’ four new recruits with his father and manager excited to welcome him to the county town side.

“Callum can play at centre-back and full-back and has been around the game for a while. He’s someone that I trust and is still just 23 himself but brings great experience to the squad despite his age,” Laird said.

Laird’s youngest son Callum has also had spells at Yate Town and Weston-super-Mare.

Mawford has re-signed for Dorchester after a successful stint of seven games yielded two goals towards the back end of last season.

The former Weston-super-Mare, Bridgwater Town and Paulton Rovers man has higher-league experience and Laird was excited to sign him for another campaign.

“Jake has played in the Conference South and has that ability to change games,” he said.

Laird’s fourth signing was defender Martin who will ply his trade with the Magpies for a further season.

“Neil has been Dorchester through and through so he threw his hat into the ring for another year. All four are good signings and they have played at a good level so there will be competition,” Laird said.

The boss also revealed that the club is in talks with five local players.