WATCHET Town Council is looking to get residents' views on the the plans for the £365,000 plan to revamp Watchet Boat Museum.

A joint public consultation with the Onion Collective is planned for Tuesday and Wednesday October 20-21, where members of the public will be able to come to the Council Chamber in Swain Street and give their feedback.

The project, which was granted planning permission last week, features a planned new extension which will house a new office for the town council, doubling the size of the existing facilities and also including toilets, a kitchen and a store room.

The current wooden portacabin which houses Cliff's Taxis will be demolished and the firm will be offered alternative accommodation inside the new visitor centre.

The extension will form the second element of the work on the seaward-facing side of the building and will include an open space for use as a visitor centre, as well as for town council meetings and for use by other community groups.

The hope is that work can start in the Autumn and be finished in time for the summer season.

Watchet Town Council is proposing to contribute £50,000-£60,000 toward the project, £30,000 of which has been earmarked to come from the council's reserves and the consideration is being given to an application to the Public Loans Board for £25,000.

Watchet Town Council has not yet decided what is to be done with the current council chamber building on Swain Street, but it could be sold or possibly rented out.

Watchet Boat Museum holds a large collection of Somerset fishing boats, historic photographs, maps and charts and various pieces of memorabilia celebrating Watchet's sea-faring history.

It is run entirely by volunteers and relies on donations, opening every day in the summer season from mid May until the end of September.

The public consultation will take place on Tuesday and Wednesday October 20-21, 10am-12pm and 6-8pm in the Council Chamber in Swain Street.