Firefighters are tackling a blaze on an island owned by a multi-millionaire.

An air-and-sea-rescue search for a ferry passenger who is believed to be missing overboard was suspended last night after five hours.

An air, sea and land search has been launched for a missing kite surfer.

There was flash flooding today after torrential rain hit the south coast.

"Burnbake campsite is full," said a woman's voice on the answering machine. "We do not take bookings. We will change the message when pitches become available."

Premier Oil is considering buying BP's 68 per cent stake in the Wytch Farm oil field in Dorset.

Bournemouth have appointed Lee Bradbury as their new manager.

Paul and Rachel Chandler, the British couple held captive by Somali pirates for more than a year after their yacht was hijacked, want to make closer contact with the people of Somalia and try to persuade the international community to help restore law and order in their country.

Police were conducting more tests today to find out what happened to a man found dead with his young son.

Coastguards warned about the dangers of "tombstoning" yesterday after a 75-year-old man jumped from an 80ft beauty spot and was seriously hurt.

Bournemouth has launched its own weather service, claiming a "disastrous" Met Office forecast put off thousands of potential visitors last year.

Britain has a new breeding bird species – or at least, it very nearly does. A pair of purple herons have begun nesting at the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds' (RSPB) reserve at Dungeness in Kent, and are thought to be sitting on eggs.

A millionaire has won a fight with planners to build a luxury eco-home on his own south coast island.

Ospreys, the majestic fish hawks which are spreading in the wilder parts of Scotland, the Lake District and Wales, are being offered the chance to set up home in the gentler landscape of Dorset – in fake nests.