MINEHEAD'S Millennium Rose Garden officially came into bloom on Friday when it was opened by Euro MP Graham Watson.

The garden is the result of Minehead in Bloom's success in a national competition organised by the British Rose Growers Association.

Donations from local businesses and grants from the town and district councils were added to the winners of the 2000 Roses competition.

The garden incudes a picnic area, and a number of businesses and some individuals sponsored or provided garden furniture and plants.

Town council ground staff have been bringing the idea to fruition since October: "The end result is wonderful, " said Minehead in Bloom chairman Cllr Martyn Snell.

"They were putting the finishing touches to the garden right up to a few minutes before the opening."

Mr Watson said the rose garden was a fitting millennium project and it was good to see the community working on it together.

He added: "I am sure this garden will become a place which the people of Minehead and visitors to the town will get great pleasure from in coming years," he added.

Pictured at the opening are Cllr Meigan Lyons and, from the left, Cllr Snell, district council chairman Cllr Viv Brewer and Mr Watson.

Photo: Steve Guscott.