As we enter the fresh warmth of spring, families and friends can start seeing one another again outdoors, some for the first time in months.

I hope you are taking advantage of the good weather for walks along the beach or in the countryside. From Monday (12th April), we will have our other shops open too.

I would first like to pay tribute to my formidable colleague, Dame Cheryl Gillan, MP for Chesham and Amersham, who passed away at the weekend after decades of public service.

I would like to share with you my thoughts on the Covid ‘Passport’ that has been widely featured in the national press at the moment. The concept of a form of ID for use in day to day life to prove if you have had a vaccination - I do not accept. I think it would be an inappropriate and unnecessary infringement on day to day life. But I am awaiting to hear from the Government specifically on it proposed the risks will be managed for large gatherings, such as in a football stadium or in a theatre.

We have some really good news in that here in West Dorset: we are now top of the national league table for vaccination delivery with 77% of all adults now having had their first jab. This is an amazing achievement.

On Tuesday, I met with fishermen from Lyme Regis and West Bay to discuss how the industry is faring and to reiterate my continued support of them on both a local and national level. The fishing community offers so much to our coastal town communities as well as to our food supply chain and I am committed to making sure we support them especially with some of the industry difficulties so that our Dorset coastal towns stay as vibrant and prosperous as ever.

Chris Loder

West Dorset MP