A NEW website has been launched to help residents and visitors explore and enjoy Dorchester.

www.discoverdorchester.co.uk has more than 400 listings of attractions, shops, cafés, restaurants, pubs and places to stay in the town.

Matilda Manley, Dorchester Tourism Development Officer for Dorchester Town Council, led on the creation of the website with Dorchester based company Key Digital Ltd and the Dorchester Tourism Partnership.

The website has useful travel information, including locations of car parks, train stations and electric car charging points. Plus there's an easy to use events guide with all of the Christmas markets and seasonal events already listed.

The website is an extension of the pre-existing Discover Dorchester app with lots of added information and blogs to inspire people who are thinking about visiting the town.

Cllr Gareth Jones, Mayor of Dorchester added “The website is a great step forward in giving easy access information on Dorchester and everything it contains. Dorchester has a very rich heritage stretching back 2000 years as well as a modern retail centre and wide ranging provision of open spaces and entertainment. It is a brilliant tool to be able to promote and increase tourism in Dorchester."

An image of a Roman gladiator has been hidden on one of the web pages. The first person to email m.manley@dorchester-tc.gov.uk with the name of the page where the helmet is hiding will win a free family annual pass to Shire Hall Museum, a free Sunday Lunch for four people and a house bottle of wine at The Kings Arms and free entry for a family of four to The Keep Military Museum.