A WOMAN who grew up in a seaside town in Dorset has said she is ‘horror-struck’ at the state of the town after returning from 40 years in the USA.

Lyndsay Harman, 68, was born in Pokesdown and studied at the Bournemouth College of Technology, taking a hotel receptionist course.

She worked at the five-star Carlton Hotel before moving to London and meeting her then husband.

After he was offered a job transfer to the States, Lyndsay moved to New York City in 1977, at 20 years old.

She spent the next 40 years in America before moving back to Bournemouth around four weeks ago due to personal circumstances.

Lyndsay said she has never called the police in her life, but since moving back to the town she has made three reports already.

“I do not think it Is normal to call the police three times,” she said.

Lyndsay added: “There was nothing wrong back then, Bournemouth was an exquisitely beautiful place.

“Westover Road was the utmost posh place, now I have zero interest in coming to central Bournemouth.”

She said when visiting the town centre she was “horror struck” at the litter and state of shops.

“The horror of seeing central Bournemouth versus childhood memories when going into Bournemouth was a special treat and mummy gently insisted me to wear my prettiest frock.”

She said the differences between Bournemouth now and the town she grew up in ‘makes her feel so sad she could almost cry.’

Independent retailers on Westover Road announced this year that they would pay for customers parking in a bid to bring back the Bond Street of Bournemouth.

Dorset remains the eight safest county in England and Wales for reported crime.

Dorset's police and crime commissioner David Sidwick said: “The most important thing is that Dorset has seen a fall in crime with positive results in serious crimes including violence against the person, sexual offences and stalking and harassment.

“Although the overall position is a useful single figure, we must be mindful of the data which shows a very small difference. I will be discussing with the chief constable what needs to happen to ensure our progress towards becoming the safest place continues.