Local news for the Dorset Coast powered by the Echo

New analysis by the Association of Optometrists (AOP) suggests that between 62% and up to 78% of eye-related A&E visits could be managed in community services.

Moors Valley Country Park is set to host its illuminated Halloween trail, hosted by life by Forestry England and running from October 23 to November 1.

Blandford Museum has launched a free summer holiday trail, Around Blandford in 20 Objects, offering a journey through the town centre as it were 1900.

The Dorset County Show is set to feature the return of Europe's largest monster truck as the headline attraction.

The play zone features a timber lorry, tunnels and a large wooden timber harvesting machine, helping children to learn about forestry through play.

Families looking to keep children active, engaged and entertained this summer can take advantage of a range of activities at BH Live Active leisure centres.

Vibrant Forest Brewery, based in the New Forest, will host a 15th birthday celebration at its taproom on August 15, running from 12pm to 8pm.

That’ll Be The Day will come to Bournemouth later this year, performing at the Bournemouth Pavilion on Friday, September 4, and Saturday, September 5.

A Ringwood care home resident went bowling at Bournemouth Bowling Club for the first time in 10 years with the support of his care home team.

Dorset Police is reminding the public how to access the right support at the right time as part of its new Making the Right Call campaign

On August 16 at 12pm, the Poochie Ryders will set off from The Bike Shed in Shoreditch, London, each riding a vintage 1960s Velosolex to Poole Quay.

Trinity Manor Care Home in Sherborne hosted a classic car show, bringing together staff, residents, relatives and local motoring enthusiasts

Unearthed, created by Women of Dorset, comes to the Poole venue on Friday, July 31 and Saturday, August 1 at 7.30pm.

Children across the region will benefit from free bus travel this summer - thanks to new funding from the Government.

Forest Holme Hospice has congratulated Maddie Ingoldsby after she was announced as one of the new professional dancers joining BBC's Strictly Come Dancing.

Six vacant shopfronts along Old Christchurch Road have been transformed with new window displays as part of a Bournemouth Town Centre BID initiative.

New figures from Capital on Tap show that Dorset recorded 1,816 business crimes per 100,000 people in 2025, placing it fifth nationally.

Wetherspoon pubs across Dorset will take part in a 10-day Craft Cider Festival, running from July 31 to August 9.

Hoburne, a holiday park operator, has been named Family Travel Business of the Year at the Dorset Business Awards.

The German Nashorn, nicknamed "Phoenix" after restoration was delayed by a devastating fire, will feature at Tiger Day Autumn on September 26.

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.

SHOULD there be a tourist tax in Purbeck – the “Purbeck Pound”?