Six charities based in Dorset have received donations of £1,000 each.

For the third year running, Ecclesiastical Insurance Group is giving away £1million to charities through its Movement for Good awards.

Members of the public were invited to nominate causes close to their hearts, with 500 awards of £1,000 available for donation.

Amelia's Rainbow, Mars Trust and Butterfly Conservation are some of the local charities set to benefit from the money, following overwhelming public support in the county.

More than 5,100 residents voted for charities across the county.

In total, more than 210,000 people around the UK supported the movement, with over 13,000 charitable causes up and down the country receiving votes.

The 500 winning charities were picked at random from those nominated.

Amazingly, a huge 87% of those who nominated a charity said they’ve donated the same amount or more during the past year, showing just how kind-hearted Dorset residents are despite challenges posed by the pandemic.

Additionally, 46% said they are more likely to support a local charity than a national one, as the country emerges from lockdown.

It’s perhaps no surprise that health causes topped the list with the most nominations, while community and animal and wildlife charities were also front of mind as popular choices.