A TWO-year, £400,00 project reached fruition on Wednesday (July 22) when the revamped Watchet Boat Museum was officially opened alongside a custom-built Visitor Centre.

A 100-strong audience of sailors, councillors and well-wishers attended the ceremony at the building in Harbour Road which encompasses an office and meeting chamber for Watchet Town Council as well as a taxi office.

The project was conceived two years ago and finishing touches are still being made after five months’ work - but it is open to the public.

The boat museum contains the UK’s largest collection of Bristol Channel flatner fishing boats, and it was officially opened by West Somerset council lead member for tourism and economic development, Cllr Karen Mills, cutting two nautically-knotted ropes.

She said the project was a really great example of four different organisations pulling together to enhance tourism – so vital to Watchet and West Somerset.

Full story in the Free Press