VOTING HAS STARTED TO SELECT THE FLAG FOR DORSET.

Please visit the Flag Institute Website for details on how to vote by clicking here.

VOTE NOW.

The vote is open to all the residents of Dorset. You will find voting forms in the local press, in your local library or you can download one clicking on the link above. You can send these forms in by post, by email or using the ballot boxes in libraries. There will be a prize draw for a Dorset hamper for all valid votes cast.

Please visit the Flag Institute website for all details and voting forms. Good Luck with your favourite choice.

The vote closes on 12th September 2008.

CRIME in Dorset is at a five-year low according to figures released by the Home Office.

A Government report puts Dorset top of the 43 police forces in England and Wales for public confidence and Dorset has the lowest number of violent offences involving knives or sharp implements in the country.
The annual Home Office report, based on figures from April 2007 to March 2008, shows a seven per cent decrease in overall crime in the county. Violent crime is down while burglary and car crime are both at a 10-year low.

As the people of Dorset campaign for their county flag to be flown in every town and village, Mervyn Hanock asks whether we should all stand up and be counted

A few decades ago, I didn't need to bother about flying a flag to prove that I was an Englishman - we did have a few, small Union Jacks which were tucked away in the cupboard under the stairs, leftover relics of special occasions - royal visits, commemorations and suchlike.

But, generally, we knew exactly who we were, where we came from, and were justly proud of the fact. County rivalry existed here in the West Country - Devon had the best clotted cream, Cornwall's pasties were unrivalled, Somerset is where the cider apples grew, and the Cotswolds would claim the prettiest countryside.

The cells where the Tolpuddle Martyrs were held during their trial will be open to the public when the Old Crown Court in Dorchester opens for the summer season later this month.

The courtroom, which is best known for the 1834 trial of the Martyrs, has staged many dramatic cases over the years, including the case of Martha Browne, the last woman to be hanged in Dorset after murdering her husband with an axe.

Goulds department store renowned for its customer service is striking out into the cut-throat world of online shopping. Customers are now just as likely to be clicking a mouse as ringing a bell when shopping at their Dorchester store. The independent store - now in its 105th year - has launched an e-commerce website to keep pace with chain store rivals.

PLANS to pedestrianise a town centre street are set to win the backing of councillors.
The proposal to make the full length of Dorchester's South Street traffic-free is part of the Dorchester Traffic and Environment Plan being formulated to reduce congestion in the town. The push to make lower South Street and adjoining New Street pedestrianised in common with the rest of the main shopping street is being spearheaded by Dorchester Chamber of Commerce.

Dorchester town councillors want to make summer floral displays more environmentally-friendly by using a new type of hanging basket.The council is looking at ways of putting plenty of hanging baskets on display in the town without having to send staff out to water them everyday. Watering can use up to 500 litres of water a day and workers are paid overtime to do it.

Peter Mullins, the council's compliance manager, is asking committee members to consider options such as stopping all floral displays in the town centre.

He also suggests replacing hanging baskets with ground-mounted containers with reservoirs and using drought-resistant plants. Whichever option is picked, he said the town's flower beds and recently-planted trees would still need watering.

Dorchester Town Football Club's majority shareholder Eddie Mitchell is looking to add further amenities to the stadium - provided the go-ahead is given to build a gym and restaurant at the Weymouth Avenue site.A full planning application was lodged with West Dorset District Council in the middle of last month.

Mr Mitchell, a Poole-based property developer, said: "I think we will get the planning permission quite shortly and if we do it will be great news."We want to make it the complex for the town and may try to add other amenities. There is such scope for that site and if we can get the right people to invest, it could be good.

"It is a lovely spot to get some sort of hotel. It is the right location and we are looking at it very intensely planning-wise to see what else could help finance the football club. But it needs the input from the town."

"We want to make it the complex for the town and may try to add other amenities. There is such scope for that site and if we can get the right people to invest, it could be good.

"It is a lovely spot to get some sort of hotel. It is the right location and we are looking at it very intensely planning-wise to see what else could help finance the football club. But it needs the input from the town."