was dreamt up and rigorously tested right here on our doorstep.

There's been a crash in Dorchester town centre

Drivers caught fly-tipping in the UK could face penalty points, fines up to £500, and vehicle seizure under new government plans to tackle waste crime.

Several New Forest campsites will be welcoming back happy campers this spring, following refurbishments and upgrades at a number of locations.

A Verwood man has been banned from driving and ordered pay costs of more than £4,000 after he caused serious injury to another person while driving a luxury sportscar.

A man who glassed another at a social club has been jailed for six years

Swanage Carnival has announced its air display will return in 2026.

The Sandbanks Ferry is set to introduce automated tolls systems later this year which may result in a number redundancies for its staff in specific toll‑related roles.

Tony Hadley brings his Christmas Big Band UK tour to Bournemouth Pavilion on 16 November 2026, performing Spandau Ballet hits and festive classics.

Screams By The Sea 2026 in Bournemouth celebrated indie horror films with screenings, awards, talks, and live events. Entries for next year now open.

Gillingham Town Council in Dorset pledges to become UK’s first Butterfly-Friendly Town, joining Butterfly Conservation’s scheme to boost biodiversity.

The closing date for entries to one of the south west's longest running celebrations of talent and creativity is round the corner.

Bring back the bus station benches and toilets.

Team GB gymnast Kelly Simm visits Moyles Court School, leading a fitness circuit and inspiring pupils with her Commonwealth Games gold medal journey.

Historic Steamship Shieldhall secures £202,500 National Lottery Heritage Fund grant for vital restoration, aiming to preserve UK maritime heritage.

Dorset residents underestimate monthly household bills by £228, Trooli research finds, as rising costs and hidden charges leave many struggling to keep track.

New UK survey reveals over half of Brits get less than 7 hours’ sleep, impacting work, mood and social lives. Sleep consultant urges better sleep habits.

The following cases were heard at Poole Magistrates' Court:

Volunteers sought by Friends of Skerryvore to help maintain Bournemouth’s historic Robert Louis Stevenson garden. Monthly meets, tools provided. Join now!

Trethowans law firm secures 9,000 sq ft office at Bobby’s in Bournemouth, boosting Dorset legal sector growth and supporting town centre regeneration.

Celebrate St Patrick's Day with a bottomless Guinness brunch at Ye Olde George, Christchurch. UK-wide offer from Social Pub & Kitchen on 17 March.

A man described as 'a staple of British television' is set to visit Bournemouth on his UK tour.

A group of volunteers in Bere Regis have received the King's Award for voluntary service.

Hospitality leaders from Bournemouth Area Hospitality Association urge VAT cuts to support pubs, restaurants & hotels.

Poole designer Annabella Fudge-Harman teams up with Opera Beds to showcase home design that blends style and practicality for motor neurone disease care.

Elizabeth Cook honoured with Outstanding Service Award at New Milton Town Council's Community Champions Awards, celebrating over 50 years of voluntary service.

Hundreds of people gathered over the weekend to celebrate the Indian festival of colours, Holi, enjoying live performances and Indian street food.

Dorset Coroner appeals for next of kin of Douglas Harrison, 71, from Bournemouth, who died in Dickens Road on 13 March 2026. Contact 01202 123900.

Linden House care home in Lymington hosted a candlelit garden trail to raise dementia awareness, support Oakhaven Hospice, and unite the local community.

Fifteen new affordable one-bedroom flats are being built in central Dorchester for local young people, thanks to AJC Group, Aster Group and DACLT.

RSPB Arne in Dorset creates a 20-hectare wood pasture and community orchard to boost wildlife, attract rare birds, and enhance Purbeck’s biodiversity.

Dorset Wildlife Trust launches public consultation on wild beaver reintroduction in Dorset rivers. Share your views online or at local drop-in events.

Khaya, 244 Old Christchurch Road, Bournemouth, has applied to BCP Council for a premises licence to serve alcohol and late-night refreshment.

Wheels and Waves Transport Ltd applies to add an operating centre for goods vehicles at Willow Farm, Mannington, Wimborne. Representations open until April 2.

Dorset Council plans to dispose of open space land in Ferndown, Sturminster Marshall, and Corfe Mullen; public objections invited until March 2026.

Temporary parking ban on Crabton Close Road, Bournemouth from 16–24 March 2026 for SGN utility works. BCP Council traffic order details and updates online.

Dorset Council proposes a new puffin crossing in West Moors and a 30mph speed limit extension in Verwood. Public comments open until 27 March 2026.

Ensbury Avenue in Bournemouth will close for 12 days from 30 March 2026 for council development works. Diversions and parking restrictions apply.

Dog owners are being urged to check their pets after walks now that we are entering tick season in the UK.

Minortity Cherries owner Michael B Jordan was one of the big winners at the Oscars as he was named best actor at the Academy Awards.

Half a dozen car parks in Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole could face an uncertain future after a national car park operator fell into administration, putting 682 jobs at risk.

Two people were stabbed and four arrested on Sunday evening after a reported altercation outside neighbouring takeaway shops in Bournemouth town centre.

A van has been seized due to suspected links with environmental crimes in Dorset.

Labour announces £2.5m Best Start centre in Boscombe, Bournemouth’s first since Sure Start cuts. Local playground closures and council funding plans debated.

A Bournemouth slot car racing club that has quietly been competing since 1994 is calling for new members as it looks to secure its future more than three decades after its first cars took to the track.

Police are continuing to investigate the death of a man almost a year on from the incident, after a 19-year-old was initially arrested on suspicion of murder.

A Lidl redevelopment in a retail park in Bournemouth is once again being recommended for approval after a decision on the proposal was deferred to allow issues around traffic congestion, design, and cycle lane infrastructure.

Christchurch Recycling Centre will be closed for three days at the end of March so that essential maintenance to improve safety for residents can be carried out.

BCP Council is preparing for a possible increase in residents needing support ahead of Renters’ Right Act coming into force.

McDonald’s has submitted plans to refurbish one of its restaurants in Poole as part of operational improvements.