BBC Dorset

St Johns' AlmshouseThe triptych had been sent to Sotheby's for safekeeping during renovationsA museum is in a race against time to raise £3.5m for an "exceptionally rare" triptych painting which is due to be auctioned in December.The piece, dating from the 15th Century, was valued by Sotheby's when it was moved for safekeeping during renovations at St Johns' Almshouse in Sherborne, Dorset.After discovering its value, the charity decided to sell the altarpiece to fund new accommodation for people…

Curtis Lancaster and Linzi KinghornSouth of EnglandBBCSchool children teamed up with soldiers to put together the care packages"Christmas is really difficult when there's not someone sat at the dinning room table," said the founder of a charity that supports children with parents in the armed forces.Louise Fetigan set up Little Troopers in 2011 and over the festive period her team of volunteers meets in Bovington Camp, Dorset to make thousands of "Christmas Smiles" boxes for military children.She said:…

Police have warned drivers not to let festive sparkle blind them to road safety after pulling over a car decked out with Christmas lights.Officers from Poole in Dorset spotted the vehicle while out on patrol and posted a warning to motorists on Facebook. "The driver was stopped and given words of advice about the traffic offences he was committing and also reminded about the seriousness of celebrating Christmas before December," the post said. "Displaying red light to the…

Indy Almroth-WrightSouth of EnglandCharlene HalseyThe little bird was spotted sheltering from the rain on the 16th deck of the shipA rare bird endangered across the UK has been rescued after taking shelter from heavy rain on a cruise ship. The corncrake, an RSPB red-listed bird, was spotted on the 16th deck of Sky Princess by passenger Charlene Halsey and her daughters "shivering" under the step of a hot tub as it travelled to Portland, Dorset.After regularly checking on…

Residents have been encouraged to attend a health event where they can air their concerns about changes to local hospital services.The drop-in session organised by University Hospitals Dorset (UHD), will run from 10:00 GMT to 16:00 at the Gather space in Poole's Dolphin Centre.It will raise awareness of the ongoing £500m transformation programme taking place at UHD sites, which include making Royal Bournemouth Hospital the county's "major emergency centre".James Donald, the associate director of communications for UHD said…