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Dorset weekly round-up: 12 May - 18 May 2024

BBC Ricky Gervais head and shoulders pictureBBC
Ricky Gervais performed his latest work-in-progress show in Christchurch

Comedian Ricky Gervais' much-anticipated appearance in Christchurch is among our most read stories 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.

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Ricky Gervais performs new material in Christchurch

Ian Woolley Queuing fans outside the Regent Centre in ChristchurchIan Woolley
Queuing fans were told the show had sold out online

Ricky Gervais has performed two intimate gigs at a 500-seat theatre to debut new material.

The performances at the Regent Centre in Christchurch, Dorset, on Monday and Tuesday sold out online within minutes of tickets going on sale last week.

This left some fans who had queued outside the venue since the early hours disappointed, with demand for the tickets described as "unprecedented".

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Dramatic image shows grass snake attacking frog

Kate Fry/PA Media Dramatic picture of a grass snake attempting to capture a frog in its jawsKate Fry/PA Media
The picture was taken at a primary school pond-dipping expedition

The dramatic sight of a grass snake attempting to capture a frog was the highlight of a primary school pond-dipping expedition.

Year 5 pupils from The Epiphany School in Bournemouth, Dorset, spotted the encounter at the nearby Kingfisher Barn visitor centre

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Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole hotels vote for 'tourist tax'

PA Media People siting on deckchairs on Bournemouth Pier overlooking the sea and beachPA Media
Funds made through the tourist tax will be used to help sustain and develop events like Bournemouth Air Festival

The first coastal 'tourist tax' in the UK is set to be introduced in Dorset.

The tax, for visitors to Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole will be launched on 1 July.

Hoteliers voted in favour of the tax, which will require guests staying in larger hotels in the BCP area to pay an extra £2 levy per room, per night.

It comes after a consultation by the Accommodation Business Improvement District (ABID) and is expected to generate £12m in the next five years.

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Brothers continue family's lifesaving legacy

Brothers Gavin and Matt Steeden are following in the RNLI footsteps of their dad Martin.

Two brothers have been speaking of their pride of carrying on a long family tradition volunteering for the RNLI.

Brothers Gavin Steeden, 43, and Matt Steeden, 41 have been volunteering at Swanage lifeboat station since they were "five or six" when they would help by holding "important" ropes.

They follow in the footsteps of their dad, Martin Steeden, and grandfather, Victor Marsh, who were both coxswains at the station and Gavin is now deputy coxswain

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First osprey born in south for 180 years returns

Birds of Poole Bay A webcam view of two ospreys on their nest near Poole HarbourBirds of Poole Bay
The bird, known as 5H1 because of the number on her coded leg ring, was captured on a webcam with her father

An osprey chick, believed to be the first reared in southern England in 180 years, has returned to her hatching place after a two-year absence.

The bird, known as 5H1 because of the number on her coded leg ring, was captured on a webcam with her father at a nest in Poole Harbour on Tuesday.

Young ospreys have a "very low survival rate", according to the Birds of Poole Harbour team, which monitors birds on the Dorset coast.

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