GRANDFATHER Eric Shaw has been hailed a hero after risking his life to save an elderly neighbour from his smoke-filled mobile home. Brave Mr Shaw, 63, fought his way through choking fumes and flames on Monday morning to drag Harold Bennett to safety.
A MAJORITY of Echo readers are opposed to gay couples being free to "tie the knot". In a recent website poll 57 per cent of people voting against the unions and 43 per cent voted in favour. See this week's Daily Echo vote on personal debt on the homepage
STUART Cannie came through his barren run in front of goal to secure Wimborne a fine 1-0 win at AFC Totton in Wessex Division One. The Magpies striker notched his first goal in 11 games in unorthodox style as he scooped home midway through the first half
IAN Robinson has admitted he is "running out of reasons" for his under-performing Lymington and New Milton side, despite an improved display in their 2-0 loss at Fleet Town in Ryman Division One. The Linnets boss saw his men fall behind through an early
SKILLS shortages are hitting at least one third of local employers, warns Business Link Wessex. Bosses are becoming increasingly concerned at the lack of quality applicants to fill their vacancies. The solution is to provide further training for existing
ACTION man Gus McKechnie is ready to tackle a worldwide odyssey in memory of his brother. The Dorchester man is planning to take part in both the London and New York marathons this year - as well as a host of other gruelling events. Mr McKechnie, 30,
TWO single mums spent the new year matchmaking at Dorchester's first speed dating event. Julie Booker and Glyn Edwards organised the sell-out event to bring love to Dorchester's singles at the same time as raising more than £500 for Dorchester Youth Football
FINANCES at Weymouth and Portland Borough Council could be in their best position for a decade. A cautious welcome was given to better than expected Government grant awards for 2006 to 2007 and 2007 to 2008. Members of today's council management committee
A FATAL accident in the New Forest which claimed the life of a teenager in the early hours of New Year's Day has fuelled calls for improvements to the country lane where the tragedy occurred. Police have not yet named the 19-year-old youth from Lymington
FIRE crews were called to rescue a pony after it fell into a swimming pool at a property in the New Forest on Sunday night. The stricken animal was discovered on Monday morning by Rosemary Gregory in the pool at her home in Pound Lane, Burley. It was
THEY got it! A family who endured four days of bitter cold and pouring rain camped out on the strand at Mudeford over the new year weekend are looking forward to a summer of sun, sea and sand after securing a coveted beach hut lease. When the booking
FUN and games were the order of the day when the 32nd annual New Year's Day bath race got under way at Poole Quay. Competitors were bombarded with eggs and flour as each team battled to cross the finishing line first. Several of the wacky entries disappeared
DAN Baguley jumped off the subs bench to fire home a late winner for Hamworthy United in a tight 2-1 win over improving Brockenhurst. Baguley, on as a substitute for Ryan Dovell for the final 10 minutes, latched on to a through ball and crashed home a
DORCHESTER Civic Society is going to the top to head off problems at Poundbury - by talking to Prince Charles. The society wants to influence the way Phase 3 develops and to avoid the issues that have dogged Phase 2. Derek Beauchamp, chairman of the society
PEOPLE may be able to have their say at planning meetings following a successful Dorset County Council pilot exercise. The trial scheme was applied to the council's planning and roads and rights of way committees. The planning committee will study the
GRANDFATHER Eric Shaw has been hailed a hero after risking his life to save an elderly neighbour from his smoke-filled mobile home. Brave Mr Shaw, 63, fought his way through choking fumes and flames on Monday morning to drag Harold Bennett to safety.
AN elderly woman died after fire swept through her mobile home on Monday morning. Her invalid brother was rescued after brave neighbour Eric Shaw, put his own life on the line to battle through flames and choking fumes. An investigation has been launched
HE went out to New Zealand for the British Lions rugby tour, planning to return to London to work on the fourth Harry Potter film. "That was six months ago and I haven't been home yet," said Ben Morgan. Staying in Wellington with a friend who worked at
VERWOOD Town were knocked out by an injury-time sucker-punch as Otterbourne stole all three Wessex Division Three points with a last-gasp spot-kick at Potterne Park yesterday. A disappointed Verwood boss Adie Arnold said: "I thought the game had a draw
THERE is shock news about the state of Dorset's desks. Fifty eight per cent of them still have last week's sandwiches in their drawers, according to one of those wonderfully spurious surveys that firms like to dream up for publicity. Congratulations to
CLAMPING has been given the boot on the Somerleigh Road estate in Dorchester. The private road has been the scene of arguments and payouts of up to £350 to release vehicles parked illegally. But now the area's management body has ditched clamping in favour
PEOPLE in Weymouth and Dorchester have spoken out about what they would like to see done to improve their towns in 2006. Residents have told of their new year's wish for the single best way to improve the place where they live in the coming year. Ideas
