A BAR has closed temporarily after a number of Covid cases were linked to the Bournemouth town centre venue.

BORIS Johnson looks set to delay the final lifting of coronavirus lockdown restrictions in England following another sharp rise in cases of the Delta variant.

PAINTED stones laid in tribute to NHS heroes are being stolen by disrespectful visitors.

PERMISSION is being sought for a host of changes to the outdoor eating areas at the beachside Harry Ramsden restaurant in Bournemouth.

AN elderly woman had £250 stolen by a pair of thieves who asked her for directions as she loaded her shopping into her car.

70 underage drinkers from local schools were dispersed from a Poole beach by police.

EARLIER this year, BCP Council were awarded £40,000 to further develop its beach checker app.

UNDER 20 areas of Dorset have reported more than three active coronavirus cases, as new Covid-19 cases appear to be on the rise in the county again.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson will announce on Monday whether a final easing of coronavirus restrictions in England will go ahead on June 21.

Here's your forecast for Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole.

Business editor Darren Slade with the week's top stories

BOURNEMOUTH

BOURNEMOUTH'S seven stunning miles of golden sandy beaches are a haven for exploration and relaxation.

VISITORS to Poole Park have criticised parking regulations at the area around the water fountain.

Is there a better thing to do than snack on fish and chips while sitting along a harbour and watching the world go by?

SEVEN new jobs have been created in Blandford with the opening of its new Toolstation store.

PUPILS at a Bournemouth school welcomed a new face to their class in the form of Elvis the Hungarian Vizsla.

IT may have been a slog for some, but organisers were over the moon when Poole Festival of Running turned out to be a great success.

A PUB in south Dorset is gearing up for what is expected to be the warmest weekend this year after its beer garden was voted the fourth best in England.

A woman was rescued after falling 10ft from a pathway onto a beach.

EXTINCTION Rebellion protesters took to Studland to demonstrate the effect that rising sea levels could have on the coastal town.

BOURNEMOUTH has long been famed for its parks and gardens and for the excellence of the upkeep of its open spaces, verges and roundabouts.

AMBULANCE crews are urging people in Dorset to only call for 'life-threatening' emergencies as it deals with a surge in incidents.

A MUM and her daughter made a hasty retreat while paddling along the shoreline at Sandbanks, after a rare encounter with one of the UK's native sharks.

SAY hello to some of Dorset's most loved pets, including a beautiful bearded dragon.

A MENTAL health charity in Bournemouth are now recruiting participants who wish to engage in a recovery, education and training program.

THE first UK care home rapid response team to help older people in a care crisis has been launched by a Bournemouth based organisation.

Considering the recent weather Natalie Shearing of the Echo Camera Club was pleasantly surprised with the stunning sunrise that greeted her at Stair Hole, one of her favourite spots.

IF SCOTT Mitchell had got his way, Ben White would not have been the name on everyone’s lips this summer.

As Euro 2020 kicks off today, the Echo looks back at the tournament from the past.

A NUMBER of people across the county have been recognised in the Queen’s birthday honours for 2021.

MAN arrested in connection with a Bourenmouth town centre stabbing has been released on police bail.

A BAR has closed until the middle of next week following a "number of positive cases of COVID-19 associated" with the Bournemouth town centre venue.

DORSET Police has issued more than 1,500 fines for breaches of Covid-19-related laws – but far fewer have been handed out since restrictions eased.

POLICE are investigating a theft at a hotel in Bournemouth in which two elderly women had all their possessions stolen whilst they were swimming in the pool.

THERE have been 49 new coronavirus cases recorded across Dorset within the last 24-hour period, according to the latest statistics.

TENS of millions of pounds in government Covid funding left BCP Council with a budget surplus at the end of the last financial year.

The Red Arrows will be stopping at Bournemouth tomorrow as part of the Queen's birthday celebrations and marking the G7 summit.

MORE than 80 cases of the Delta variant of Covid-19 have been identified across Dorset.

LOCAL superstars who have gone above and beyond during the Covid pandemic were honoured during the Dorset Hero Awards.

A 16-YEAR-OLD girl has been arrested on suspicion of attempted murder after a man was stabbed in the chest in Bournemouth's Lower Gardens.

A PUB renowned for award-winning food, offering a "personal service" and being situated in a beautiful village is this week's Pub of the Week.

Henry Faure Walker, CEO of Newsquest Media Group and Chairman of the News Media Association has been awarded an MBE.

A number of pubs across Dorset will be offering free pints to celebrate the Euros today. Here's how to claim yours:

A MAN from Bournemouth was among seven people who were arrested after two vehicles travelling near the G7 summit were found to contain paint, smoke grenades and loud hailers, police said.

A GROUP of travellers have set up an unauthorised encampment at Wallisdown Recreation Ground.

Is it barbecue weather this weekend? Here's the forecast for Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole.

A MAN has been arrested after demanding money from three stores, stealing cash, cigarettes and vape liquid in the process.

MOTORISTS are facing delays this morning caused by a lorry fire on the A31.

BABY and toddler snack maker Organix is growing despite the pandemic as consumers turn to brands they can trust, the company’s boss says.