A former Bridport farmer is heading the local operation of a Dorset estate agency which has expanded to cover the area.

DOMVS estate agency, with offices in Dorchester, Weymouth and Wareham, has recently expanded to Bridport. It will be selling and letting property in the local area as part of its growth plans.

Currently the Bridport office will be run virtually until the company is able to find a suitable location in Bridport, sometime next year.

The West Dorset operation will be run by Benjamin Dobson. Previously a farmer and with a string of professional sporting qualifications, Mr Dobson is a Bridport resident with 10 years of property experience.

Bridport and Lyme Regis News: Benjamin Dobson is in charge of DMVS' new West Dorset branch based in Bridport. Picture: Beki Young Photography

Mr Dobson said: “DOMVS is well known for selling and letting Dorset’s most spectacular properties, so it’s an absolute honour to be representing the West Dorset team, and we’re already valuing property in DT6, DT7 and DT8, of all different sizes.

"We are aiming to do a lot with the local community with regards to sponsorship and charitable donations and are currently work very closely this year with Weldmar. We will also be supporting Bridport Rugby club with sponsorship for this season and onwards.

DOMVS has been on the property scene since 2005 and in that time has won multiple awards in recognition of its hard work on behalf of clients.

Polly Greenway, CEO of DOMVS says: “We are so thrilled to be extending our services into such a beautiful part of our county and believe Benjamin is the perfect person to deliver the ‘gold star service’ that our clients have come to expect.

"We have confidence the market will remain resilient, despite recent political and economical challenges, and we’re looking forward to seeing the DOMVS brand on for sale boards, advertising banners at the local rugby pitch and at community events, which we love to support.”

DOMVS is now valuing property locally, and given the latest figures from the ONS (Office of National Statistics), that state a 20.7% annual increase in house prices in the South West, many local homeowners are surprised by how much their property is worth in the current market.