Dorset weekly round-up: 1 January - 6 January 2024

Alistair Chisholm had been Dorchester's town crier for 27 years

A story about a town's hunt for its new town crier was among our most popular content this week in Dorset.

A variety of local issues featured on the BBC News website, BBC Radio Solent and South Today.

We have picked five stories to keep you up to date.

London Eye passenger describes storm scare

A London Eye passenger described the "harrowing" moment a roof hatch began to blow off in high winds.

David Nock, from Bournemouth, was on the 135m-high (443ft) tourist attraction on Tuesday as Storm Henk hit - and said the roof hatch started to come off with "an almighty creak".

London Eye said there had been an "isolated technical issue" and it had closed for a brief period due to adverse weather conditions.

Has the mystery of the Cerne Giant been solved?

Speculation has long surrounded the figure, with some believing it could date back to prehistoric times

A centuries-old mystery surrounding the origins of a chalk giant hill figure was unravelled by academics from Oxford University.

New research indicates the Cerne Abbas Giant in Dorset was originally carved as an image of Hercules to mark a muster station for West Saxon armies.

The academics said it was reinterpreted in the 11th Century by local monks.

Landslip left coastal path unusable, council says

This recent slip has removed the lowest section of steps and a diversion is currently in place

A landslip left a coastal path completely unusable due to concerns over safety, a council said.

The path at Houn's Tout, near Worth Matravers and Kingston, was closed by Dorset Council, with a diversion in place.

The council said meetings were taking place with England Coast Path, South West Coast Path, landowners and tenants to provide a good alternative route.

Hunt on for new town crier

Alistair Chisolm used his final cry to launch the search for his replacement

A town is on the hunt for a replacement for its award-winning crier.

Alistair Chisholm hung up his bell on New Year's Eve, having cried his final "oyez" after 27 years in the role in Dorchester.

Candidates need to write and perform their own cries, as well as attend all major civic events in the town.

Town centre park entrance to be closed to traffic

Vehicles will be banned from coming into and exiting Poole Park from the gateway at Whitecliff Road and Twemlow Avenue

Vehicles will be banned from coming into and exiting Poole Park from the gateway at Whitecliff Road and Twemlow Avenue from 17 January.

Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole (BCP) Council said the closure would initially be a trial and remain in effect until it has reviewed feedback.

It is an extension to the closures that already happen between 07:30 and 10:00 on Monday to Saturday.