Image source, BCP

Graham Farrant has been named the first chief executive of the new Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole Council (BCP).

Plans to scrap Dorset's nine councils to create two unitary authorities were approved by the then Secretary of State for Local Government Sajid Javid in February.

The new structure, aimed at saving £108m over six years, would come into effect in April 2019.

Bournemouth, Poole and Christchurch have merged as one council, while East Dorset, North Dorset, Purbeck, Weymouth & Portland and West Dorset form another.

Mr Farrant has been chief executive at HM Land Registry and Chief Land Registrar since 2015.

Police are appealing for witnesses to a collision between a motorbike and car in Eastleigh.

It happened on 15 October at around 07:55 BST on Leigh Road at the junction of Brookwood Avenue.

The vehicles involved were a black Vauxhall Corsa, driven by a 58-year-old Eastleigh woman, and a grey Suzuki motorcycle.

The rider of the motorcycle, a 32-year-old man, from Eastleigh, was taken to hospital with fractures to his upper body and a punctured lung.

Image source, Google

The 69-year-old attraction was suspended by Borough of Poole Council for safety reasons in May.

Staff have carried on working while coming to terms with their grief, the school said.

The animals died after eating yew cuttings dumped in their field in Hampshire.

Campaigners trying to prevent the closure of Poole Hospital's accident and emergency and maternity units are celebrating after the county's health scrutiny committee voted to refer the plans to the health secretary.

The county's health scrutiny committee previously ruled against referring the matter to central government.

Defend Dorset NHS says the decision could save lives in the future.

Dorset's Clinical Commissioning Group says it respects the council decision but will continue to press on with the plans.

A new task force which uses creative methods to tackle drug crime in Oxford is launching today.

The Oxford Public Spaces Drugs Task Force is a joint project by Thames Valley Police, Oxford City Council and Oxfordshire County Council.

The team aims to transform public spaces by trimming hedgerows, clearing paths, installing cameras, and removing needles and knives from parks to deter dealers and give a rapid response to those who report drug crime.

Michael Herrity, 44, was convicted of indecent assault and indecency with a child.

A Paralympian from Southampton has been named one of the most influential people in the UK.

Wheelchair rugby player Aaron Phipps was named on the Disability Power 100 list, an annual publication which recognises the 100 most influential disabled people in the UK.

Aaron had both of his legs and most of his fingers amputated at the age of 15 as a result of meningitis.

Image source, Getty Images

Image source, Google

More than 700 people have signed a petition against plans to close two care homes in Southampton.

Southampton City Council says it would save £1.3m by closing Glen Lee in Bitterne and Holcroft House in Thornhill.

Campaigners, including members of the Labour party who run the local authority, say such a move would be short-sighted because paying private operators will be expensive.

The city council says no decision has been made yet, and a 12-week public consultation on the proposals will begin next week.

Image source, Home Office

A new service to support victims of exploitation is being launched by Thames Valley's police and crime commissioner.

The Willow Project - which will provide crisis intervention, advocacy and long-term practical and emotional support to victims - is being unveiled on Anti-Slavery Day.

Modern slavery - which includes child trafficking, forced labour and sexual exploitation - has affected 85 victims in Oxfordshire in the space of a year, according to city council figures.

In Slough, there have been more than 20 cases of modern slavery since the beginning of the year.

The Safer Slough Partnership says the number is just "the tip of the iceberg".

All the latest headlines from across Berkshire, Oxfordshire, Dorset, Hampshire and the Isle of Wight.

Keziah Flux-Edmonds mother opened the memorial garden in memory of her six-year-old daughter.

Campaigners have argued Dorset's health services review will put lives at risk.

Great Western Railway says "disruption will last for most of today [at the] very least".

BBC News Travel

The 50th anniversary of the classic children's movie Chitty Chitty Bang Bang is being marked at the National Motor Museum in Beaulieu.

A new exhibition tells the story of Ian Fleming's tale of two children, an eccentric professor, and his extraordinary flying car.

Exhibits include an original screen Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, the Humber 8hp driven by Truly Scrumptious, a replica of Grandpa Potts’ hut and the first UK appearance of the Child Catchers carriage which terrified a generation of youngsters.

Image source, National Motor Museum

Image source, National Motor Museum

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