A new chief executive has been welcomed to the helm of one of Dorset's most successful holiday parks.

Dave Bennett has recently started his new role as chief executive officer of the Waterside Holiday Group, who oversea Waterside Holiday Park in Weymouth, Chesil Vista and Osmington Mills.

Mr Bennett grew up in Weymouth and attended Southampton University. He worked as a lifeguard in Weymouth swimming pool before working in retail for 10 years.

Mr Bennett, 52, has now worked within the holiday and hospitality industry in Dorset and Devon for over 20 years, managing two successful Haven holiday parks for Bourne Leisure.

Mr Bennett said: "It is such a fantastic opportunity to come to Waterside. It's a family-run business with great values and a very committed team. Some employees have been here for as long as 40 years."

Mr Bennett has 120 staff working under him, including seasonal workers.

He said: "Now we are looking ahead towards the summer we are recruiting again. We recruit a lot of local people for our seasonal work and a lot of the time the staff that start off as seasonal stay on and secure permanent positions."

Looking to the future Mr Bennett added: "We are looking a developing a few sectors, such as the food and beverage.

"My first few weeks have been really exciting. It's great to be back in Weymouth, I've always wanted to come back so this is a dream come true. There is no better feeling than coming over the hill into Weymouth and seeing the view over the hills. For me I can't get that feeling anywhere else."

Mr Bennet, who has two sons and four grandchildren, said the whole family have been very supportive.

Formed in 1963, Waterside started life and has remained as a family-owned business, priding itself on delivering five star holiday experiences to visitors to its three parks.

The business has been going from strength to strength over the years and Mr Bennett is hoping to lead the team into another very successful year.