Andrew Prendergast wins competition run by Weymouth BID

Andrew Prendergast entered his video into the competition launched by Weymouth and Portland Chamber of Commerce and We Are Weymouth, to find a film that captured the essence and passion of Weymouth and Portland.

The winning film is titled 'Rubi's Guide to Weymouth and Portland' and follows Goldendoodle Rubi as she visits popular sites, including Weymouth Museum, Weyfish, The Black Dog pub, Church Ope Cove and Chesil Beach.

Mr Prendergast - who worked at Southern Television before he retired - wrote, edited and directed the video. Music was performed by Chris and Tess Reid, who are regulars at the Sailor's Return Wednesday folk night, while local lad Lenny Deeble took on the role of narrator, and Lenny's grandmother - and Rubi's owner - Angie Briggs acted as chief dog handler.

Mr Prendergast beat 21 other entries to bag first place - and won £500 to spend in local businesses.

Claudia Webb, chief operations officer of Weymouth BID, said: "Andrew's video was 100 per cent the winning entry in my eyes. Apart from the fact that I haven't laughed that much in ages, it was informative and showed off many of our assets in a light-hearted and welcome way.

"It is our hope that the video will attract more visitors, not just dog owners, to the area, even in the chillier months, which will in turn benefit our local economy."

Craig Oakes, president of the Weymouth and Portland Chamber of Commerce, said: "We were extremely excited to watch all the videos presented which celebrate our area.

"Ever since we have been at the mercy of the dreaded coronavirus, we have realised that there needs to be something that could help rebuild what is becoming more and more fragile every day once we come out the other side.

"The economy and local businesses in this area do not just equate to money but will touch almost everyone's lives in some way, shape or form, and is more about communities and families."