Poole Hospital collected £478,442 from visitors and £387,417 from staff, while Royal Bournemouth Hospital took £579,188 and Christchurch £48,674, all from visitors.

Both hospitals insisted they made no profit from the charges.

Liberal Democrat health spokesman Norman Lamb, who collected figures across the country through Freedom of Information requests, said some hospitals were “effectively operating a tax on the sick”.

  • Katie Price met fans in Bournemouth, a week after cancelling due a dental emergency.

She arrived 45 minutes late at WHSmith, Castlepoint, to sign copies of her book Sapphire, accompanied by two of her children – two-year-old Princess Tiaamii and four-year-old Junior.

The council said it had used the powers in only one case when it had not been able to obtain vital information by any other means.

Ofsted inspectors had raised concerns that the Boscombe Chine Boredom Busters sessions did not meet its minimum standards for the number of toilets and provision of appropriate learning and development opportunities.

Despite a petition by parents, Bournemouth council said it did not believe Ofsted’s concerns could be addressed in time for it to re-open in the summer.

  • A Poole bus and coach company went into administration.

Roadliner Passenger Transport had been facing a winding-up petition by HM Revenue and Customs. Its services included the Rossmore Flyer.

The good run did not continue long for the Cherries, who were out of the Carling Cup First Round following a 4-0 defeat to Millwall days later.