BRIDGWATER Docks has been brightened up by the return of a restored buoy, thanks to a real community effort.

The mayor and town clerk joined contributors and residents for the unveiling opposite The Admiral's Landing Pub on Friday.

The project was masterminded by Inland Waterways Association member Pat Robinson, for whom the buoy became a real labour of love.

"It all started nearly three years ago. Having moved down from Bristol to Bridgwater I walked with a friend along the canal from my house to the docks," Mrs Robinson said.

"We sat and had a drink at The Admiral's Landing but the docks were not in a great state to look at and this buoy in particular stood out to me as an eyesore.

"I felt it was supposed to be an attractive feature of the docks but it just looked dilapidated. Even when I got home I couldn't stop thinking about it so I decided to do something."

Mrs Robinson got the ball rolling by going to Bridgwater College to see if they would be interested in taking on the buoy as part of a school project - and thankfully they agreed.

Bradfords Building Supplies said they would help move the buoy from the docks to the college where the students gradually set about giving the buoy a new lease of life.

Once it was completed, Kier Construction and RJD Builders helped create a plinth for the buoy to stand on, the bricks for which were donated by Somerset County Council from the town's brick workhouse.

"The wood that has been used to reinvigorate the buoy is European Oak as would have been used on the ships all that time ago," Mrs Robinson said.

"It was a real community effort – apart from the wood, it has cost nothing – everyone’s time, skills and materials have been donated for free."

On Friday, Gordon Jones from Kier Construction joined Bridgwater mayor Alex Glassford for the ribbon cutting.

Rev. Rosemary Eaton from Bridgwater Baptist Church blessed the buoy, and town clerk Alan Hurford also gave short speech.

Pat Robinson is also part of the Inland Waterways Association's regular clean-ups around the docks and canals, who also repainted the anchors outside The Admiral's Landing.