A project to restore Snowdrop King James Allen's family memorial in Shepton Mallet Cemetery is taking its first major step forward next week.

Shepton Mallet Snowdrop Project is spearheading the scheme to breathe new life into the Allen family memorial to celebrate the amateur horticulturalist's - and the town's - place in gardening history.

The team wants to replace an ornate obelisk that formed part of the memorial at the grave where James Allen, who died in 1906, is buried with his family. The original was dismantled in 2002 on safety grounds.

Members will be meeting Mendip District Council on Friday March 20 with the aim of taking legal ownership of the title to the family grave.

Project co-ordinator Chrisi Kennedy told Shepton Mallet Nub News: "There are no direct living descendants so we need the title to carry out the restoration work.

"Once we secure this, a survey of the remaining memorial base needs to be carried out to check it is solid enough for a replacement obelisk. Then it will be on to seeking grants and heritage funding to have the monument rebuilt.

"We anticipate the restoration will cost between £20,000 and £40,000 depending on the amount of work that needs to be completed."

Shepton Mallet Town Council has donated £1,500 seed funding for the restoration scheme.

Chairman Chris Inchley said: "When the recent very successful Snowdrop Festival was pounded by storms and pouring rain, the owners of Cabbages and Roses allowed their shop to be used by the festival.

"Originally events were to be held in a marquee, but this had to be cancelled since it was judged too risky and dangerous to erect. The town council had allocated funds to pay for the cancelled marquee.

"We have now agreed that this money should be reallocated to help commemorate our famous local horticulturalist and Snowdrop King, James Allen.

"We hope this will lead to the return of the obelisk marking his final resting place in Shepton cemetery."

Shepton Mallet Snowdrop Project is a multi-faceted initiative with the objective to raise awareness of James Allen's legacy and his association with the town.

In addition to the monument restoration scheme - and the highly popular annual Snowdrop Festival - there are also plans to put up blue plaques, in particular one on James Allen's former home Highfield House - as well as information boards in the town.