Local news for the Dorset Coast powered by the Echo

The South Western Ambulance Charity is aiming to raise £400,000 to upgrade 288 defibrillators used by Community First Responders (CFRs) across the South West.

Registration for Dorset Art Weeks 2027 opens on November 2, and artists and makers have until December 9, to register their venue and sign up for the event.

Dorset farmers, food producers and hospitality businesses were honoured at the Love Local, Trust Local Awards as more than 180 guests gathered to celebrate local food.

Foot Anstey has joined the Colyton Foundation’s Your Future Story programme, which supports young people from under-resourced backgrounds

Bournemouth business mentor Erin Thomas Wong has been named a finalist in the Best Coach category of the national Best Businesswomen Awards 2026.

All 21 Colten Care homes across Dorset, Hampshire, Wiltshire, and West Sussex took part in the Macmillan Coffee Morning.

EGYM, introduced by BH Live Active at its Queen’s Park centre in Bournemouth, launched in September 2025

Bournemouth University and University Hospitals Dorset won the Research Team Impact Prize from the NIHR for their CHAIN (Cycling Against Hip Pain) programme

Edible Conversations will run until October 8 at the Fine Foundation Gallery in Durlston Country Park and is the latest project from Poole-based 15 Days in Clay

First-year students are being warned not to ignore serious symptoms during freshers’ week

New Forest District Council are inviting residents to help shape plans for the future of Bath Road recreation ground in Lymington.

A 104-year-old woman has celebrated her birthday with family, friends, and her cherished daily glass of white wine

Pia Elliot, 26, from Wareham, received £1,999 from the SWEF Enterprise Fund from Dorset Community Foundation, which supports young entrepreneurs aged 18 to 30.

A planning application has been submitted to BCP Council to construct five detached properties

More than 5,000 people have shared their views on Dorset's proposed dog related Public Spaces Protection Order (PSPO).

In a recent study of university towns, Bournemouth placed 20th out of 60, with 408.1 new STI cases per 100,000 people in 2025.

More than 1,300 mobile phone driving offences were recorded across Dorset between 2023 and 2025, according to new Freedom of Information request data.

Pop Idol winner Will Young will perform at the Bournemouth International Centre on March 9, 2027 as part of his Evergreen 25th Anniversary Tour

An affordable housing developer in Dorset has launched a new event to help tackle one of the construction industry’s biggest challenges

A new housing scheme has been announced to help first-time buyers get on the property ladder with a low deposit

These old photos show the world-famous beauty spot of Lulworth Cove over the years

Purbeck Cider launches People’s Choice cider in Dorset, donating £1 per litre sold to Dorset and Somerset Air Ambulance. Community-grown apples support charity.

Plans for a new 'build your own' waterfront home with panoramic views have been approved for a site in Dorset

Dorset is the location for Mike Leigh's Play For Today, Nuts in May, which is free to watch on BBC iPlayer

A YouTube video provides an insightful look at Brownsea Island in 1962.

Only Fools and Horses repeats are as popular as ever this Christmas - but did you know that the classic BBC comedy was not once, but twice filmed in Dorset?

Sandbanks Ferry staff were 'verbally abused' by passengers during a temporary suspension.

Hundreds of jobs are to be created at a holiday park as part of a major nationwide investment.