DORSET is in the limelight this summer as a new TV show explores the county and the places and people that make it tick.

Readers have been having their say about the six-part Channel 5 series Dorset: Country and Coast, which started on Wednesday, July 26.

Narrated by Alan Titchmarsh, the show explores some iconic places in the county as well as the locals who call the area home.

Dorset's rolling countryside, charming seaside towns and the world-renowned Jurassic Coast all feature, with the next episode airing on Wednesday, August 2 at 8pm.

Next week's showpiece features Weymouth, Chesil Beach and the Fleet Lagoon and also heads to the north of the county to visit an old bakery in Sherborne.

Dorset Echo readers have not been short of offering their opinions on the Channel 5 series - with largely positive reviews.

Rodney Boulton said he 'loved it' and 'couldn't care less who was narrating' after some lamented the use of Yorkshire-born Mr Titchmarsh as narrator.

Martin Lee said it was a 'good advert for tourism' in Dorset as many of the counties sites and wonders were shown to TV audiences.

Ann Moore added that 'sometimes we take how beautiful and diverse it [Dorset] is for granted'.

Beverley Tonsett said it was 'about time' the show was made as she labelled Dorset 'the forgotten county'.

"Always programmes about Cornwall and Devon," she added.

Shirley Penfold, who moved to Dorset from Norfolk last year, said it makes her feel 'even more glad' about her decision, with the show giving her ideas for places to visit.

Another reader, Heather Newton, moved out of Dorset to Derbyshire and said on Facebook that the show 'made me feel homesick'.

Some viewers noted that the show as 'a bit disjointed', 'predictable', 'repetitive' and 'jumped about too much' between locations.

"Dorset is knee deep in history. What about the many villages and hamlets that have their own claim to fame? Hopefully they will air these too," said Janice Megraw.

The first episode - which is available to watch via the My5 catch-up service - featured locations including Lyme Regis, Mapperton House near Beaminster and Wimborne.