A NEW statue commemorating the history and heritage of Watchet Station was unveiled this weekend.

The sculpture was fashioned in natural stone, with inscription plates depicting the stations along Brunel’s designed line to Watchet when it opened in 1862.

It was created by local artist Dave Milton, who ‘summoned’ guests to the ceremony in his other role as the Town Crier on Saturday, August 15.

The sculpture was unveiled by the Mayor of Watchet, Cllr Peter Murphy, who noted that the main inscription 'Welcome ye friends of progress', commemorated the words above the station's welcoming arch when the first train arrived in Watchet all those years ago.

The sculpture was funded by Friends of Watchet Station and at the ceremony the chairman of West Somerset Railway John Irven paid tribute to the hard work and dedication of all the volunteers.

"Watchet is very important to the Railway, and the railway is very important to Watchet, and I am very pleased to have been asked to welcome everyone today to participate in this event, which is another good example of the way to make progress whilst commemorating and enhancing our heritage."