A TWO-week festival celebrating all the fantastic art in the county begins this weekend.

ONLY two areas of Dorset have reported more than three active coronavirus cases, according to the latest figures.

A DRINK driver who led police officers on a chase on the A35 told a court he didn’t think he was over the drink drive limit.

THERE are less than two weeks left to apply for an international creative writing competition.

A familiar face from television once owned this Dorset railway carriage home.

PLANNING applications submitted to Dorset Council for the west Dorset area from May 10 include:

FINDING a beach that is perfect for yourself and your dog can be difficult.

ONLY two areas of Dorset have reported more than three active coronavirus cases, according to the latest figures.

Although Census Day took place on 21 March, the official closing date for the online form is Monday 24 May.

HERE are today's tide times for Portland, West Bay and Lyme Regis.

We've rounded-up some of the highlights to look out for in each supermarket.

A GOOD citizen who took it on herself to clean up a roadside collecting 29 bags of rubbish was stunned when the local tip refused to take the waste unless she paid for it.

THE introduction of a permanent 30mph speed limit on Chideock Hill is 'extremely disappointing' according to the parish council - which has challenged authorities on the issue and instead wants urgent action to tackle pollution in the village.

BRIDPORT manager John Godbold has departed the Bees after just six months in charge.

INDOOR hospitality venues have reopened – and Bridport business owners 'are absolutely over the moon' to be back.

AN ART and music trail created by artists, filmmakers and more than 250 children will celebrate nature and wildlife.

UNDER 10 new positive cases of coronavirus have been confirmed in Dorset, according to the latest figures.

THE South West's 'R rate' has stayed the same as the national R rate has grown, according to the latest Government update.

RESIDENTS are reminded there is still time to get involved in a campaign to clean up the town's streets.

As lockdown restrictions ease across the UK, garden get-togethers and afternoons in the beer garden have largely been put on hold this month.

DORSET continues to be lashed by very strong winds as weather warnings remain in place throughout today.

Injuries inflicted on women by their partners resulted in up to 14 admissions at Dorset County Hospital over five years, figures suggest, despite police recording tens of thousands of violent domestic abuse crimes.

THERE are changes to the locations of some Covid testing sites in the Dorset Council area.

The Duke of Cambridge said he was left with “indescribable sadness” after learning the BBC’s shortcomings.

Until today, the charge only applied to businesses with 250 employees or more including the likes of Asda, Tesco and Aldi.

Criminals are continuing to capitalise on the pandemic but looking out for so many convincing scams can be incredibly daunting for motorists.

More than half of new police officer recruits in Dorset last year were women, figures reveal, as male domination in the ranks continues to subside.

HERE are today's tide times for Portland, West Bay and Lyme Regis.

A FAMILY is devastated after their business which only opened up again a month ago was broken into.

A MAN called Mr Good lived up to his name when he came to the rescue of an elderly man.

West Dorset pubs got a much-needed spending boost on Monday, new figures suggest, as thirsty customers were allowed indoors for the first time this year.

THERE has been no recorded Covid-19 related deaths across Dorset hospitals for 17 days, according to figures from NHS England.

EIGHT people have tested positive for Covid-19 in Dorset, according to the latest figures.

A WOMAN has been missing for several days and police are 'becoming concerned' for her welfare.

Dorset is bracing itself for wind gusts of nearly 60mph and rain showers, with a 30-hour weather warning issued by the Met Office.

I spoke in the House of Commons last week about how the Government has listened to my campaign to end live exports for farm animals. Sending livestock on cramped lorries and boats for fattening and slaughter many miles away is unnecessary and cruel, ...

A SEASON of comedy events is coming to a west Dorset theatre featuring headliners including Ed Byrne.

POLICE officers have warned residents to be vigilant after a driver was seen acting suspiciously by a field of sheep.

A YELLOW warning for wind has been extended as Dorset prepares to be battered by gales for 30 hours.

AN INTERACTIVE map has revealed how the Indian variant of Covid-19 is spreading across the country.

A NEW campaign has launched across Dorset to tackle stigma and change the way men discuss mental health.

FIRE crews in Dorset are urging businesses to install sprinklers to prevent fires as part of a national campaign.

MORE than twice as many people in Dorset were unemployed in last month as in 2020 – and young people were the hardest-hit.

MORE than 16,000 households in Dorset are struggling to pay their fuel bills, figures suggest.

AS part of Water Saving Week, Wessex Water is offering free gardening packs for children.

A CHANGE to the way housing numbers are assessed for Dorset’s next Local Plan could result in the rural county needing thousands fewer homes in the years ahead.

A REVIEW of all Dorset’s town centres is likely to be needed as the county partially emerges from pandemic lockdown.

DORSET is a national leader in council climate change and ecological policies – according to the senior councillor heading up the response.

HERE are today's tide times for Portland, West Bay and Lyme Regis.

LYME Regis face a further delay to their Devon & Exeter League Premier East title quest.