HORTICULTURAL students in Minehead will be using their talents to help make the town bloom this summer.

West Somerset Community College has teamed up with Minehead Town Council to produce hanging baskets for some of the council-funded floral displays.

And despite the poor spring weather, the green shoots are beginning to emerge in the college's greenhouses.

Local businesses could also take advantage of the students' talents as each year the council invites shops and other outlets to buy hanging baskets to brighten up their premises.

Minehead Mayor Cllr Tony Berry said: "This is a good use of a local partnership between the town and the college and it gives students a project which they will be able to see in their town.

Businesses interested in ordering baskets and using the watering service should contact the town council.

And local people will be able to check out the quality of the plants at a plant sale at the college's farm unit on May 25 from 10am to 3pm.

Photo: Steve Guscott