BBC Dorset

Marcus WhiteSouth of EnglandChris ConroyAtlantic salmon are classified as "vulnerable" in English chalk streamsA river has recorded a "catastrophic" salmon count, hitting a record low for a second successive year, a charity has said.Since 2002, the Game & Wildlife Conservation Trust (GWCT) has spent about four weeks in late summer catching and tagging juvenile Atlantic salmon in the River Frome in Dorset.Numbers fell to 3,226 this year, from last year's low of 4,593.The charity said the species was…

People are being encouraged to dress up as Christmas elves this weekend in an attempt to break a world record.The event has become a fixture for Weymouth ahead of their Christmas light switch on.Elf attire in the form of ears, hats and collars are encouraged to help the seaside town officially claim the title of elf capital of the UK.Locals and visitors are welcome to join the entourage of Santa's little helpers on Saturday to try and beat…

Residents are being asked to suggest names for a council's fleet of gritters ahead of the winter.Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole (BCP) Council has more than 13 vehicles that look after 780 miles (1,250) of roads across the three Dorset towns.It said the fun initiative was a way to "celebrate the hard work of our highways teams".The top suggestions will be chosen early in December, with the winning names displayed on the gritters.Other councils have had similar competitions with…

A woman who was diagnosed with breast cancer twice has said she did not think a lump she found was life threatening because she was too young. Rachael Kershaw, from Dorset, took part in a 100km (62 miles) trek across the Saharan Desert to raise money for CoppaFeel!, the breast cancer charity.It took five days and she was joined by 128 other women, including celebrities Giovanna Fletcher, Millie Mackintosh and Ashley James.At the age of 31, Rachael found…

A new campaign to recruit foster parents features a video of Father Christmas reading a child's heartfelt plea to feel safe this festive season.Dorset Council said hundreds of children and young people needed foster carers who could provide stability, love and a safe place to call home.The video plea shares the story of children's Christmas wishes, from wanting a bike, a football, a teddy bear to cuddle to feeling safe at home."We hope this campaign inspires people to…

A council is warning about road closures due to the start of work to change the road layout of a junction.Dorset Council said it would improve the layout at the Gore Clump junction on the C13 Blandford to Shaftesbury Road.From Monday the road will be closed on weekdays from 07:30 to 16:30 GMT until 19 December. Outside these times, a traffic control system will be in place.Dorset Council cabinet member Jon Andrews said: "This scheme is designed to…

A fair hosted by actor Martin Clunes and his film producer wife, Philippa, is being revived in 2026 to raise funds for Dorset County Hospital's (DCH) new emergency department.Buckham Fair in Beaminster, Dorset, ran from 2009 to 2018, raising more than £600,000 for local charities.The hospital in Dorchester launched a £2.5m appeal for enhanced facilities in the new emergency department and critical care unit, which is due to open in 2027.The couple, who have supported numerous hospital projects,…