Memories of Diana Dors in Weymouth and Portland

Lake served nine months at the Portland jail in the early 1970s for his part in a drunken brawl and for wounding a pub landlord.

Diana, who was then 39, was reunited with her 30-year-old husband when he was freed on October 10, 1971 and a champagne reception was held at the terraced property.

Dors was said to be always pleasant to neighbours and often chatted with people over the back fence.

She stayed at the house as a guest of owners Richard and Elsie Jennins.

Many of our readers have memories of those days in the early 70s when Diana Dors brought her showbiz glamour to town.

It is absolutely amazing how many connections members of our Facebook nostalgia group We Grew Up in Weymouth and Portland have to the Swindon-born blonde bombshell.

One of the most interesting connections was Peter Healey's - who now lives in the home Diana frequented.

He said: "I own that house now and am doing it up. I found all her old wallpaper. I'm going to put plaques and artwork inside with reference."

The old wallpaper discovered by Peter Healey

Wayne Gilham said: "Alan Lake made my aunt a trinket box in the 1970s while he was in the Verne.

"My grandad also had to go out and repair Diana's Rolls Royce when it broke down on Verne Common Road when he worked for Fancy's."

Paul Butcher was also involved in the retrieval of the vehicle belonging to the actress and singer.

He said: "I went with him on Fancy's old Land Rover break down truck and when it was repaired took it back to her."

And there is a Newstead Road connection for Simon Lock, who says: "My late grandparents lived at No 122 Newstead Road, so just a bit further up."

Diana Dors at 104 Newstead Road, Weymouth

Shirley Masters said: "I met her and said hello when she went to visit Alan - she was very glamorous."

Alex Parker tells us: "My granddad walked her to the visiting room at the prison."

"I met her during one of her visits," Chris Moscrop said.

Jon Smith tells us: "Ms Dors stopped their big car (possibly a limo) in Verne Common Road to ask me for directions to the prison.

"I was about 10 and didn’t understand their accents or slang (nick, slammer, lock up) for prison.

"They got very frustrated when they had to use 'proper English' for me to understand."

Diana Dors in Brighton in 1959

Tim King tells us: "My aunt had photos of her out socialising with Diana Dors and her friends, she used to do their bookkeeping."

'Baldy' Baldaro says: "My dad was an officer there when she used to visit. He said she was a lovely woman who always made time to chat with everyone."

"We used to see Diana Dors go by our house in her Rolls Royce on her way to visit Alan at the Verne," Sandy Thompson says.

Graham Ryan said: "Yes, I remember Diana Dors, she went up the road by Tillycombe going to the Verne passing a woman struggling with a pram, going there in luxury in a limo, with the other one struggling, poor woman."

Jared Budnarowski said: "We were back wall neighbours. I remember mum saying something about this but cannot remember details."

And it seems as though the trademark Diana Dors Rolls Royce caused quite a stir on Portland!

James Mayo said: "I remember seeing her roller going through Victoria Square."

Paula Harvey recalls: "My dad was an officer at the Verne then and mum bumped into her as she met dad from work. Nice lady apparently."

Geoffrey Sturmey said: "I remember seeing her driving her roller down Damory Street in Blandford on her way to Weymouth.

And Sheelagh Green recalls: "I remember her staying there with the Jennings family."

Thanks to you all for sharing your memories of Diana Dors. Keep them coming by emailing them to joanna.davis@dorsetecho.co.uk