Weymouth is among the most popular holiday destinations in the UK, with an excellent sunshine record, safe sandy beaches and the stunning backdrop of the World Heritage Jurassic Coast.

The holding of the sailing events of the 2012 Olympics in Weymouth will boost the area’s profile even more.

But Weymouth and its neighbour Portland are packed full of historic sights and characterful corners that make it far more than a kiss-me-quick resort. Weymouth’s noble seafront and picturesque harbour, for example, give the town a unique atmosphere, while Portland is renowned for the extraordinary Chesil Beach. Acclaimed Dorset photographer Roger Holman has caught the colour, humour, stateliness and quirkiness of the town and its hinterland to present a collection of 60 evocative images that truly capture the spirit ofWeymouth and Portland.

Roger Holman was born in 1932 near Wimborne, not far from where he lives today, and educated at the Queen Elizabeth Grammar School. On leaving he joined the family firm, which he continued to run – apart from time spent in the RAF on National Service – until he handed it over to two of his sons.

He discovered photography in his teens and has been photographing aspects of his home county ever since. He is the author of Halsgrove titles Images of the Dorset Coast, Images of Dorset Country, Dorset the Glorious County, and co-author of Dorset’s Most Beautiful Buildings.

Imprint: PiXZ Books. ISBN 978 1 906887 31 5, hardback, 110x155mm, 64 pages. Published September 2009.