A HUGE surge in coronavirus cases in multiple areas across Dorset show why both Dorset Council and BCP Council areas were moved to higher Tiers.

A PROJECT designed to share residents' lockdown experiences is set to return in the new year.

AN AWARD-WINNING Bridport author explores some of the sea's deepest mysteries in his latest book.

VOLUNTEER lifesavers have been praised after a ‘challenging but successful year’ which saw the number of call-outs increase dramatically.

THERE is still time to nominate a worthy business in the Bridport Business Awards.

SOUTH Dorset MP Richard Drax has praised Prime Minister Boris Johnson for holding his nerve to sign a 'miracle' post-Brexit trade deal with the EU - which he described as a ‘momentous period in our island’s history’.

New rules have been announced for major UK supermarkets in the UK.

Nearly three in 10 close contacts of people with coronavirus are not being reached by the test and trace system in Dorset, figures suggest.

For some, it is unlikely they will ever return to the office full-time.

A NUMBER of sex offenders in Dorset have been convicted this year for indecent offences in 2020.

MORE than 500 new cases of coronavirus have been recorded in Dorset in the last 24 hours.

NEW RULES and restrictions for dogs have been put in place in the west Dorset area.

A CHRISTMAS tree put in place to raise funds for charity has returned after it was believed to have been stolen.

FIVE further coronavirus deaths have been recorded in Dorset hospitals in the last 24 hours.

We don’t blame you if you ‘re not venturing out at the moment as the weather has been gloomy and cold enough to chill the bones.

RESIDENTS can continue to enjoy a Christmas lights display raising money for a worthy cause.

THE bells rang out for Christmas - thanks to a mechanism in a Bridport church tower.

AN INCREASE in visitors to the Dorset seaside saw Coastguard callouts surge above figures recorded in the previous four years.

BIRTHDAY girl Beryl Birks celebrated reaching 100 this week with socially-distanced visits from her family.

VOLUNTEERS are needed to help speed up the coronavirus vaccination programme in Dorset.

RESIDENTS are being encouraged to read Dorset Council's latest strategy document on the climate crisis.

Around 5,700 EU nationals have successfully applied to continue living in Dorset after Brexit.

IT is fair to say it has been a difficult and challenging 2020.

A 12-WEEK-OLD puppy died after swallowing fishing hooks on the beach in a tragic accident.

The number of recorded coronavirus cases across Dorset increased by 447 in the last 24 hours, official figures show.

COUNCIL services across Lyme Regis have been largely unaffected by the shift into Tier 3 restrictions.

THE Dorset Council area has entered tougher Tier 3 coronavirus restrictions - in moves which business bosses have called 'unfair and upsetting' for the hospitality industry that had been preparing for New Year's Eve.

What a year it has been.

DORSET residents are urged to take care on local roads amid weather warnings for ice.

Dorset Council area is being moved into Tier 3 coronavirus restrictions.

A BRIDPORT resident with Down's Syndrome has raised money for NHS staff by designing, creating and distributing Christmas cards across the area.

Concern has been growing among teaching unions and scientists about the spread of the virus and the return of schools after the Christmas break.

Almost 1,500 secondary school pupils were absent in Dorset on just one day last week because of coronavirus, estimates suggest.

A ‘rapid increase’ of coronavirus cases in Dorset has been cited as a key reason why both council areas have been moved up Tiers by the Government.

A new era for the UK’s relationship with the EU begins in 2021.

THE pandemic did not stop a Christmas carol service from going ahead - although those attending had to stay in their cars.

More than three-quarters of the population of England will now be in Tier 4.

Fire crews have warned against using sky lanterns at New Year's Eve parties.

Christmas for me this year was quite different from normal, as I have been stuck in London due to Tier 4 restrictions.

Bridport Police have some advice if you received an e-scooter for Christmas.

A look back at some of the most memorable bits of 2020.

The Dorset Council area will enter Tier 3 from midnight tonight as Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole enters Tier 4.