Local news for the Dorset Coast powered by the Echo

A joint transport plan with neighbouring BCP Council has been approved by Dorset councillors

Your correspondent Robert Cooper is quite right to highlight the many attractive areas for visitors near Bournemouth.

Protestors from Dorset Animal Action are still calling for the closure of Bournemouth's Oceanarium amid an animal welfare dispute.

Oceanarium staff say protesters are making them feel unsafe at work and spreading damaging false claims to the public.

Grillix Ltd applies to BCP Council for a late-night refreshment licence at 402-4 Ashley Road, Poole, seeking opening hours until 4am. Public feedback invited.

My two favourite parts of my job are attending our events and visiting businesses. Both always leave me feeling optimistic and feeling positive.

Britain’s tax system is crushing entrepreneurs in Dorset and needs to be changed, a tax expert has warned.

Morebus customers travelling in and around Bournemouth and Poole are now benefiting from eight brand new double decker buses.

The model, designed by COBI in partnership with The Tank Museum in Bovington, represents the King Tiger V2 and features more than 1,500 pieces.

Bournemouth University trampolinist Millie Harvey has completed a stadium tour with Take That, performing in cities across the UK.

Take a nostalgic trip back to 1986 with these incredible unearthed photographs of =Dorset's changing streets.

Italian-inspired bakery Gio’s Deli has moved from the Triangle to Bournemouth’s West Cliff.

A retail giant that was a familiar sight on the high street was placed into administration owing almost £16 million.

Emergency services have descended on the New Forest after a large fire broke out on Sunday evening.

A large blaze has broken out in the New Forest as Hampshire Fire and Rescue Service ask people to avoid the area.

A woman was hospitalised with suspected fractured ribs after being thrown from a jet ski.

Firefighters were called out to a blaze in a wooded area near Bransgore in the early hours of Saturday morning.

A woman who had been reported missing in Poole since the early hours of Sunday morning has been found.

A crash has been reported on the A31 eastbound near St Ives

A woman has been reported missing after she was last seen in Poole in the early hours of Sunday morning.

A man has reportedly been committing acts of "outraging public decency" in the naturist section of Studland beach and Police are appealing for information.

A celebration of archaeology is set to spark curiosity and exploration across the South West.

Purbeck Film Festival returns for its 30th year from August 15 with open-air screenings across Purbeck's most extraordinary locations.

The 'Roads to Rail' steam rally from Swanage Railway will take place from June 26 to June 28 near Norden station and Purbeck Park

More than 40 pre-1957 Citroën vehicles visited Purbeck Mining Museum in Norden as part of the three-day Jurassic Coast Rally.

Helen Goldsack, chief executive of Citizens Advice East Dorset & Purbeck, has retired after 27 years with the organisation.

For the first time in 80 years, Purbeck will welcome the return of the Famous Five through a collaboration between the National Trust and Blyton Books.

Lewis-Manning Hospice Care has been selected as Charity of the Year by Isle of Purbeck Golf Club’s Seniors Captain, Stuart Hopkins.