IT was a great summer for tourism in Minehead, according to West Somerset Council.

The council is heralding projects such as the gabions art display and the Maritime Mile Trail a success after receiving positive feedback from visitors, and say there’s more to come.

A host of partners worked on the Enterprising Minehead initiative, which saw the projects installed in the town over the warmer months.

Katrina Midgley, chairman of Minehead Coastal Communities Team (CCT), which includes representatives from local authorities, businesses and volunteer groups, says more projects will commence in the New Year.

She said: “The feedback from visitors is really encouraging. We expect work to start on more seafront enhancements in the New Year, and I look forward to watching them develop.”

The council hopes the two projects already completed, and the others to follow, will reinforce Minehead’s standing as the top pick for UK holiday destinations.

Cllr Andrew Hadley, economic regeneration and tourism portfolio holder at WSC, said: “I am delighted the features that have already been placed have been received so positively by visitors to our town. Minehead is a lovely place to visit, stay and live.

“All the initiatives so far, and those still to come, can only add to the town’s attraction and make it the place to visit when looking for short breaks or holiday destinations.”

Tourists left their feedback of the town with Minehead Visitor Centre through the website Mineheadbay.co.uk.

Visitors commented on the ‘fascinating’ history of the town, as well as its ‘beauty’.

The Enterprising Minehead initiative includes the redevelopment and refurbishment of the seafront, a tourism training academy, a business improvement district (BID), new events, and a heritage trail.

Funding for the projects came from a £501,000 pot from the Hinkley Point Community Impact Fund, £80,000 in EU funding, and £130,000 from the Government’s Coastal Communities fund.

The grants need to be spent on specific projects, within set timeframes, with the emphasis on boosting the economy, creating new jobs and improving skills.