It's not often you see such a long queue snaking down Dorchester's main shopping street.

It would be a complete no-no these days with social distancing in place.

The reason for this lengthy queue - and mild over excitement in the county town - was the visit of TV gardener Alan Titchmarsh.

The housewives' favourite was at Ottakar's Book Shop in Dorchester, which is now Waterstone's, signing copies of his novel Rosie in May 2004.

The long line of fans were all keen to meet their gardening idol and put their green fingered questions to him.

The former presenter of Gardener's World has been a perennial favourite in Dorchester for many years.

On a return visit in 2009 the green-fingered guru appeared in a sell-out talk at the Dorford Centre speaking about another book Knave of Spades.

Back then, Waterstones events coordinator James Barber said: "Alan charmed all the ladies in the room – there was a lot of blushing going on!”