A new volunteer group to help keep Shepton Mallet's Collett Park in tip-top condition and maintain its Green Flag status is being launched tonight (March 11).

The first open meeting of Friends of Collett Park, spearheaded by Shepton Mallet Town Council, is being held at the SWEDA offices in Harvest Court, Park Road.

And council chairman Chris Inchley is hoping for a large turnout of residents willing to give their spare time to help with community projects, wildlife schemes and events.

He said: "Collett Park has enjoyed Green Flag status for the past two years.

"We are still the only park in the Mendips to have been awarded this accolade. It means that our park meets the highest national standards and that our plans for its future protection and development are judged to be sound and appropriate.

"We are justly proud of this, but keeping Green Flag status is never a certainty. We must have an ongoing up-to-date management plan that keeps the park in tip-top condition.

"As a part of this, we need to reach out to the wider community who love and use our park. To this end, we are forming a new voluntary group called the Friends of Collett Park to help with community projects, wildlife schemes and events in the park."

The inaugural open meeting at the SWEDA offices - next door to the town council offices - starts at 6.30pm.

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Anyone who can't make the meeting can still find out more about joining the volunteer group by contacting the town council clerk Charlotte Starkie by emailing [email protected] or calling 01749 343984.