OVER 100 suggestions were submitted to find a fitting name for Somerset's new community flood support boat and now the polls are open for you to pick your favourite.

Somerset County Council asked members of the public to send in their suggested names and said they were inundated by the entries.

These have been whittled down to a shortlist by a panel of judges and now you can go online to vote.

The choices are:

• Spirit of the Levels

• Flood Flyer

• Resilience

• Somerset Smile

• Willow

• Spirit of Somerset

A spokesman for Somerset County Council said: “The boat naming competition seems to have really captured the public’s imagination and we’d like to thank everyone who has sent in their suggestions.

“Now for the exciting bit – it’s your chance to vote for your favourite. Simply go online to somersetnewsroom.com and take part in our online poll.”

All the entries were considered by a panel of judges which was made up of Somerset County Council officers, Val and Chris Whitcombe from the Maunsel Lock Canal Centre, and members of FLAG, the Flooding on the Levels Action group.

Many of the entries were submitted via Facebook and Twitter and were inspired by everything from local links (The Sowy, King Alfred) to the inspirational (Defiance, Saviour) to the downright weird and wonderful (Mr McFloaty, The Golden Vole, Bob).

Two of the shortlisted entries came from pupils of the Kingsmoor Class at Huish Episcopi Primary School.

The new community flood support boat has been funded by Somerset County Council in partnership with South Somerset District Council.

It arrived in Somerset last month and will be based at the Maunsel Lock Canal Centre near North Newton where it will be kept on standby in case of future flooding emergencies.

At other times, the flat-bottomed Mk III Wheelyboat will be used to provide access to the water for groups of disabled people.

Voting will close at midnight on Monday May 4 and the winner will be announced on the first ever Somerset Day – May 11.