A NEW group has been set up to unite pagans in Dorset.

Ian Temple, owner of Sgt Bun Bakery in Weymouth, has launched The Dorset Grove to bring together anyone with alternative religious beliefs.

Mr Temple said the group was intended to create a community of different Dorset pagans. And it is already looking set for success with some 40 members already.

Mr Temple said: "I have been a Druid of Dorset for many years and have many good friends across Dorset and we decided to get together and form this new order.

"We want a group specific to this county.

"We are not aiming to take over anything, we just want to try and connect all the different types of pagan groups in Dorset. We don't disagree with anybody. If somebody wants to believe in something we honour that belief. But we want to promote peace."

Mr Temple said the new group is even open to Christians.

"We don't like the hostility there sometimes is between pagans and Christians.

"Pagans have been persecuted over the years. This is not so much the case now but there can still be stigma."

Events to be organised by The Dorset Grove will include monthly meetings and open rituals and camps, including visits to Stonehenge for summer solstice celebrations.

From next month members will meet on the last Tuesday of each month at the Marquis of Granby pub in Chickerell Road. Mr Temple said anyone was welcome.

"As pagans and Druids we connect with nature. We don't see humans as top of the ladder, we think everything should be equal. We celebrate all the sabbaths and pagan holidays through the year and people can come along and just see what we do. We would like people to get in touch."

For more information contact Mr Temple on 01305 768884 or click here