The perfect Christmas gift...

Dorset: A Photographic Journey in an Olympic Year, the new book produced jointly by the Bournemouth Daily Echo and the Dorset Echo, showcases one of Britain’s most beautiful counties through a sequence of stunning colour photographs.

From the rugged cliffs of the Jurassic Coast to wild heathland immortalised by Thomas Hardy and from the sandy beaches to rolling downs and verdant woodland, the app captures the essence of a part of the world it is impossible not to love.

Other sections you will visit include majestic Weymouth, craggy Portland, and the county town of Dorchester, picturesque North Dorset, rural and historic East Dorset, magical Purbeck, bustling Poole and vibrant Bournemouth.

And of course, there is a chapter on the exciting sailing events at the Olympic and Paralympic Games held at Weymouth in 2012, giving you a chance to enjoy, at close-hand the thrills of gold medal racing.

Toby Granville, group editor said: “From the mighty Chesil Beach sweeping along the Jurassic Coast to the miles of golden sands in Bournemouth, a stream of talented photographers have captured this county in all its glory for our latest book, Dorset: A Photographic Journey in an Olympic Year.

"Coupled with a special section highlighting the greatest moments of the Olympics in Weymouth and Portland, this latest addition to our series makes an ideal Christmas present or the perfect coffee table book to act as a constant reminder of how lucky we all are to live here.”

The book is available to buy at local book shops for £14.95.