A SCHOOLBOY will get his hands on the very first Taunton Monopoly game to roll off the presses.

The much-anticipated official edition is being launched in three weeks time in a high profile red-carpet ceremony at the Cooper Associates County Ground, home to Somerset County Cricket Club.

And 13-year-old Jay Biddle, from the county town, will get to be a VIP - Very Important Player - for the day after winning a competition.

He beat more than 200 others to land the prize after the game’s makers Winning Moves UK put out a VIP search in the summer.

He will get to collect the very first game, which will be specially signed by the makers of the game Winning Moves UK at the launch on Thursday, October 19, at 10am.

Jake Houghton, custom games executive executive at Winning Moves UK, said: "Very well done to Jay."

Mr Houghton will present the board game to Jay, along with a representative of The Works, in Taunton, which is donating the prize.

He added: "We look forward to seeing him at the launch.

"We had a magnificent response to the competition. Thank you to everyone who entered.”

Jay’s mum Rachel Biddle said: “We are delighted he has won and it’s apt as he has been a huge Monopoly fan since being very young.”

Entrants were asked to say why they loved Taunton - Jay's reason was because it is “so diverse”.

He added: "You can do shopping and within five minutes be in green land like Vivary Park.”

When he heard he'd won, Jay added: "I can’t wait to see what’s on the new game. I’m thrilled to have won."

The game will see the likes of Somerset County Cricket Club and The Museum of Somerset replacing the legendary London Monopoly streets like Mayfair and Park Lane.

The Chance and Community Chest cards, too, have been customised.

The launch at the cricket club will be a VIP affair. A red carpet is being specially laid out and Mr Monopoly in costume will be jetting in from Mayfair to be at the ceremony.

Earlier this year it was announced Taunton is getting its own game after seeing off rival Somerset places.