FIREFIGHTERS were called to a fire caused by a clothes basket left on top of an oven.

A SECTION of a Beaminster road is now closed for a month - with a seven-and-a-half mile diversion route in place.

Chancellor of the Exchequer, Rishi Sunak, set to announce his Budget to create and save jobs and revive the economy following the coronavirus pandemic

THE MAYOR of Bridport has spoken of he importance of trees and the 'vital' role they play in sustains the planet.

A FOUR-DAY jazz and blues spectacular will be going ahead in May, subject to Covid restrictions.

Changes have been made to a 32-home scheme at Manor Farm, Winterbourne Abbas.

Employees will continue to receive 80% of their salary for hours not worked until the scheme ends.

RESIDENTS are being encouraged to join a discussion on how litter can be reduced in Bridport.

MORE than 12,000 comments were submitted by businesses and residents as part of the consultation on Dorset Council's Climate and Ecological Emergency Strategy.

MORE than 800 people who went missing as they approached crisis point have been supported by a scheme aimed at preventing suicides.

Ofgem said suppliers including the Big Six firms such as British Gas, npower and EDF overcharged customers £7.2 million over seven years.

The Mint is inviting nominations for recipients of a brilliant uncirculated £5 commemorative coin featuring a design by heraldic artist Timothy Noad.

It's World Book Day today, and we can't wait to see your amazing costumes!

ARMED police swooped on Bridport following reports of a knifeman threatening people.

A LONG-AWAITED film partially filmed in Lyme Regis is set to bypass cinemas and go straight to streaming services later this month.

BRIDPORT Medical Centre has urged patients to attend their Covid-19 vaccination appointments as the number of people not attending rises.

I HEARD that Jaguar cars are turning fully electric by 2025.

MORE than 97 per cent of young people across Dorset have been offered their first choice of secondary or upper school in September.

ANOTHER town market has been cancelled after being unable to put on regular events since the start of the pandemic.

WITH non-essential shops are closed throughout the country, a Bridport book shop is running a click-and-collect service.

JUST 34 new coronavirus cases have been confirmed in Dorset over the last 24 hour period.

ONE new coronavirus death has been recorded at Dorset County Hospital in the latest 24-hour period, official figures show.

TENS of thousands of households in Dorset will be impacted if the £20-a-week uplifts to Universal Credit and Working Tax Credit are not extended in the Budget, analysis suggests.

DOZENS of voluntary and community organisations that have been impacted due to the Covid pandemic are being boosted with hundreds of thousands of pounds of grant funding from Dorset Council.

DORSET & Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service is encouraging members of the public to consider becoming an on-call firefighter as part of a national campaign.

DEMAND for shepherds’ huts and cabins has soared throughout lockdown, according to one Dorset business.

THERE are 18 areas in Dorset which have reported no coronavirus clusters according to latest statistics – as Covid-19 cases decrease in the county.

TWO LOCAL organisations are teaming up to provide support for families in need.

AN ARTIST has launched a new project which will see her paint portraits of local people who volunteer for the lifeboat.

STAFF and volunteers at Citizens Advice Dorset hear stories every day of families whose lives have been turned upside down by this pandemic.

THE pandemic has meant for many, a sea change, in terms of their attitudes as to what is important to them in their lives.

MORE than 97 per cent of young people across Dorset have been offered their first choice of secondary or upper school in September.

A WALKING initiative has been launched for those looking for a 'breath of fresh air' during lockdown.

THE A35 will be closed for five nights as part of major resurfacing works, starting tonight.

FEWER than 60 coronavirus cases were confirmed in Dorset over the last 24 hours, latest figures have revealed.

NO more coronavirus deaths have been confirmed in Dorset hospitals for the second consecutive day.

POLICE, health and council bosses have joined forces to pay collective tribute and thanks to all the volunteers who have given their time and expertise for free during the coronavirus pandemic.

MORE than nine in 10 people aged 65 and over in Dorset have received their first dose of a Covid-19 vaccine, figures reveal.

THE proportion of suspected breast cancer patients seen on time has fallen to an all-time low at Dorset County Hospital.

SEWER repairs which have caused a road to be closed for more than a month are making steady progress, says Wessex Water.

Officers searching for a missing man from Bridport say that he has been located.

DORSET could in for one final cold spell in the next few days - which may include wintry showers.

A PROJECT challenging families to create fun displays to put up in their windows has been extended - and now there are prizes up for grabs too.

NO patients with coronavirus have reported to have died in Dorset’s hospitals according to the latest figures.

MORE than 1,100 Covid fines have been issued by Dorset Police since the pandemic began, new figures show.

I WAS very sad to hear that the local Country Market may not return.

ZOOPLA has revealed the areas in Dorset where house prices have increased the most in the last 12 months.

DORSET County Hospital's Chief Medical Officer has welcomed the Prime Minister’s 'cautious' roadmap out of national lockdown, claiming that lifting restrictions too quickly could lead to a spike in cases and overwhelm hospitals.

HISTORY groups are continuing to run events and meetings online.

Mother's Day takes place next month - but what lockdown rules will be in place?