AMBITIOUS plans to give Minehead a lasting legacy to celebrate the Queen's Diamond Jubilee have been unveiled by members of Minehead Conservation Society.

The group has spent two years working on a scheme to create a modern solar-powered, stainless steel clock tower on the seafront, which it hopes will act as a focal point for both residents and tourists alike.

Permission has already been sought from Somerset County Council to put the eight and a half metres tall clocktower on the seafront-side pavement, opposite the entrance to the West Somerset Railway.

It would boast stainless steel cornerposts and a central shaft and two semi-circular seating areas at its base, surrounded by York Stone paving.

Sally Bainbridge, chairman of the group's Jubilee Clocktower Committee, said: "We think it would be fantastic to be able to provide an iconic and useful local feature for the seafront and at the same time create a lasting legacy to commemorate the Queen's Diamond Jubilee.

"We believe this to be a very exciting project for Minehead, which will not only enhance the seafront but benefit tourism."

The clocktower has been designed by Peter Ferguson, who has close relatives in the town and whose great grandfather was local builder Freddie Burt.

Mr Ferguson works as a conservation architect and has drawn on his own love and knowledge of marine history to come up with a lighthouse-like clocktower.

He said he had deliberately chosen an open design to ensure it did not obstruct views of the sea, while concealed solar panels could be fitted in the roof to provide lighting for the three clock faces and fourth face which will show tide times.

A series of colourful wooden panels are also included, which will feature cut-outs of "symbols of Minehead".

Mr Ferguson said: "I am pleased to be associated with the Jubilee Clocktower project as my family, over practically the whole of the 20th century, was involved in the development of much of Alcombe and Minehead, especially The Parks estate that was established between the two world wars.

"We had a reputation for high-class building and the clocktower would be a fitting epitaph to my ancestors, as well as a great asset to the home population and the many visitors who come to Minehead.

"The design and materials were chosen for durability and low maintenance, exposed as it would be to all elements.

"It would be a focal point on the seafront, as well as providing three useful functions - clock time, tidal times and seating."

Mr Ferguson's design has been submitted to West Somerset Council's planning department and, if approved, the clocktower committee will then have to set about fundraising to meet the cost of the scheme.

Mrs Bainbridge said the overall cost was not yet finalised as estimates had varied considerably.

"Many seaside towns benefited from the provision of features and structures to celebrate Queen Victoria's Diamond Jubilee. Sadly, Minehead did not," she said.

"Our committee would like to redress that omission. We firmly believe that the proposed clocktower, designed to grace the seafront by a son of the town with a deep love of the marine environment, will provide an iconic feature of which we can all be proud."