West Bay cliff fall blocks beach on Dorset’s Jurassic Coast

A visitor has called it "a miracle" no-one was hurt when a section of cliff collapsed on to a beach on Dorset's Jurassic Coast.Suzanne Sears was taking a walk near West Bay when she heard "a deep cracking noise" coming from the cliffs before the rockfall shortly after 16:00 GMT on Tuesday.The Maritime and Coastguard Agency confirmed a rescue team was sent to a report of a cliff fall at West Bay and "no one was found to…

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The biggest news stories of the year

Stephen StaffordSouth of EnglandOXFORD UNIVERSITY MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORYTwo hundred huge footprints were discovered in an Oxfordshire quarryAs 2025 draws to a close, have a look back at the biggest stories we have reported on across Hampshire, the Isle of Wight, Dorset, Berkshire and Oxfordshire.January: Walking with dinosaursAt the start of the year, scientists discovered a window into the prehistoric past in an Oxfordshire quarry.Dewars Farm Quarry has long been linked with dinosaurs and last year researchers found…

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‘Shocking’ dashcam footage shows dangerous driver

Sarwar Mustafa was filmed swerving around oncoming traffic and reaching speeds of up to 100mphDashcam footage showing police following a dangerous driver for 18.5 miles (30km) through Dorset has been released.Sarwar Mustafa was filmed driving from Bere Regis to Ferndown in Dorset on 22 June, swerving around oncoming traffic and reaching speeds of up to 100mph (161km/h).Dorset Police officers began following the BMW with suspected cloned plates and no insurance after spotting it at about 09:45 BST on…

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Wareham military children charity founder gets MBE

A woman who set up a charity to help support military children has been appointed an MBE.Louise Fetigan, from Wareham, has been recognised in the king's New Year Honours list for services to young people in Dorset.The 43-year-old founded the charity Little Troopers in 2011, which supports children with parents in the armed forces by providing resources to help ease the challenges of military life.Ms Fetigan said she "adored" the charity, adding it had taken "so much sacrifice,…

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‘The best gift’ says charity founder in Bournemouth awarded MBE

The founder of a charity supporting disabled people into work has been recognised in the New Year Honours list.Samantha Everard, known as Sammy, has been made an Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) for the work she does with her Bournemouth-based charity Support and Mentoring Enabling Entrepreneurship (SAMEE).SAMEE, founded in 2015, helps disabled people develop employability skills and explore self-employment.Reflecting on the honour she said this was "the best gift" to share with her "incredible…

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Medical professionals recognised in Kings New Years Honours list

Caroline RobinsonSouth WestNHS England South WestDr Michael Marsh was recognised for his contribution over many years to healthcare and public serviceA former medical director is among medical professionals who have been recognised in the King's 2026 New Year Honours list.Medical professionals across NHS England South West were recognised for services to healthcare, including two from Cornwall. Dr Michael Marsh, NHS England's former South West Medical Director, was appointed Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) for…

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MP, Paralympian and campaigners to get New Year Honours

Rachel RussellSouth of EnglandGETTY Images/BBCFrankie Allen (L) and Peter Boyd-Smith (R) are both being recognised in the New Year honoursAn MP is among those from the south of England to be recognised in the New Year Honours list, alongside an array of campaigners and a Paralympian.Anneliese Dodds, who has represented Oxford East since 2017 and was Sir Keir Starmer's former development minister until she resigned in February, has been made a dame.Dodds, 47, said she was "delighted" to…

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Devon’s local heroes recognised by King Charles

Royal NavyAngie Cheal, pictured encouraging a fellow sailor during a recovery triathlon, described the honour as "incredible"A number of people in Devon have been honoured by His Majesty the King in the 2025 New Year Honours List.Among those recognised is Angie Cheal, a Royal Navy Warrant Officer, who has been appointed a Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) for her dedication to helping sailors and Royal Marines recover from serious illness and injury.The Plymouth-based 51-year-old…

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Brownsea Island nature reserve’s seagrass to be mapped

National TrustInitial surveys were carried out by Dr Ken Collins, accompanied by Brownsea ranger Sophie GilesThe waters around an island nature reserve are to be surveyed for the first time to map seagrass habitats.Initial surveys at Brownsea Island in Poole Harbour, Dorset, revealed an abundance of seagrass, which is a haven for wildlife including some species of seahorse.Oceanography experts from the University of Southampton are expected to carry out a detailed underwater survey in the first half of…

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Twenty five years of BBC South online services

Stephen StaffordSouth of EnglandBBCThe first BBC regional website in the south of England launched in December 2000It was December 2000 - the world had survived the Millennium Bug and the Information Superhighway was heading at dial-up speed into the future.The BBC had launched its online service on bbc.co.uk three years earlier and the south of England was now among the first regions to launch a local presence on the world wide web.BBC Southampton Online began as a city-focussed…

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Breeding barn owls ‘beat odds’ to raise chick at Hengistbury Head

Barn owls have overcome a challenging summer to breed at a nest box installed at a nature reserve in Dorset.Bournemouth Christchurch and Poole Council (BCP) said the birds were first spotted at the box at Hengistbury Head in March.The council said, despite a challenging year due to dry weather conditions, the pair "beat the odds to successfully raise a single chick".Environment councillor Andy Hadley said it was "a real sign that our efforts to restore habitats and support…

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Weather presenter Alexis Green looks back on 2025

AnneJanuary was the second coldest January for the UK since 2010South Today weather presenter Alexis Green looks back on the weather events of 2025, in which several records were broken.JanuaryJanuary was the second coldest January for the UK since 2010. The month was drier than average, colder than average, but also the fifth sunniest on record.FebruaryFebruary was a quiet month with relatively little in the way of impactful weather.Although temperatures for the UK in the first two weeks…

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