RNLI/Glyn EllisThe Inshore Lifeboat Centre has a team of up to 70 workers and spans three buildings in East CowesThe RNLI is looking to move from its Isle of Wight site where its builds and maintains its inshore lifeboat fleet after more than 60 years.The Inshore Lifeboat Centre (ILC) in East Cowes supplies and maintains over half of the charity's inflatable B class and D class lifeboats, as well as lifeguards' inshore rescue boats (IRBs).The RNLI said it was looking to move production under one roof to Poole in Dorset, where its all-weather lifeboats are currently built, from the end of 2027.There are up to 70 staff who build and maintain up to 80 boats each year at the island site opened in 1963. It said staff at both sites had been informed of the plans.RNLI/Nathan WilliamsThe RNLI's inshore lifeboat fleet are built and maintained in CowesThe RNLI said the older and smaller facility on the island…

The driver of a people carrier car who drove away after striking a 12-year-old girl at a crossing is being sought by police.The girl suffered a leg injury after she was hit by a car on Bridport Road, Dorchester at the traffic light crossing near to the St John Roundabout on 30 September at about 18:00 BST.Dorset Police said the car, that failed to stop at the scene, was described as grey with a taxi sign on top of the passenger side and was being driven by a man of stocky build with a striped top.The force has also appealed for witnesses and any drivers in the area at the time who may have dashcam footage to come forward. Source link

Sophie CridlandSouth of England, South of EnglandBBCA petition to save two much-loved palm trees on an esplanade in a seaside town is to be discussed at a local council meeting.Since Weymouth Town Council announced the removal of the trees, local people and some tourists have said they want them to remain in place.Now it has been agreed that an attempt will be made to replant the palm trees elsewhere in the town.800 paper and 350 verified online signatures have been collected to preserve the trees. Miranda Tunnicliffe, who is one of the campaigners who set up the petition, said she was horrified to hear they were being removed because "they are iconic.""Why move them if they are happy where they are, why not just get some more and put them all the way along the seafront. "I am hoping the petition will make Weymouth Town Council think twice about their decision," she said. A spokesperson from the…

Galya DimitrovaSouth of EnglandIan MetcalfThe Charity Angels UK Dorchester Fashion Show debuted in 2023, raising about £9,000"When they first walk on the catwalk, they're quite tentative. By the final scene, they're living life."Jane Hinnrichs is the lead organiser of the second Charity Angels UK Dorchester Fashion Show, featuring 14 Dorset women who have experienced breast cancer.The sold-out event is in its second year and aims to raise funds for research into secondary breast cancer, as well as show "there is life after a diagnosis".Ms Hinnrichs also said she had seen a "kind of blossoming of the women on the catwalk"."The people in the audience look at these women and they think 'My God, how far they have come since the early days'," she said."So the whole thing is uplifting and life-affirming and it's as much for the women as it is for the charity."Ms Hinnrichs was diagnosed with breast cancer more than 30 years ago when she…