WATCHET is preparing to roll out the red carpet for a royal visit which will celebrate the 150th anniversary of the town's iconic lighthouse.

Princess Anne will unveil a commemorative plaque at the West Pier structure on September 20 in her role as president of the Royal Yachting Association.

Details of the visit have yet to be confirmed but it is understood that a number of local organisations will play a part in the celebrations, with local people given the chance to give the Princess Royal a flag-waving welcome.

Watchet Town Council chairman Cllr Sally de Renzy-Martin, who is also chairman of Watchet Harbour Advisory Committee, said: "We are absolutely delighted that HRH the Princess Royal has accepted the invitation to visit the town.

"And I believe it will be the first public visit by royalty to Watchet."

Cllr de Renzy-Martin said that although Princess Alexandra had been to Wansbrough Paper Mill some years ago, it was a private rather than public visit.

"Although the details of the itinerary of Princess Anne's visit are still being firmed up, it looks like being an exciting day," she said.

The cast iron lighthouse was built in 1860 when Watchet's commercial harbour was enjoying its heyday.

At the time, the port was benefitting from the industrial revolution.

Iron ore was being exported from the Brendon Hills to smelting works in South Wales and there was an increase in imported goods.

Watchet Harbour Commissioners invited tenders for the enlargement of the harbour and plans were submitted by three engineers, including the renowned Isambard Kingdom Brunel.

The cheapest tender, submitted by James Abernethy, was accepted and the provision of a lighthouse tower was sub-contracted to Hennet Spink and Else of Bridgwater.

The hexagonal tower structure cost just £75 to build, with the bill for the light element at the top reportedly coming in at £90.

It stands 22 feet high and its fixed green light - still used as a marine navigational aid - is visible for nine miles.

Cllr de Renzy-Martin said there was no record of the actual date when the lighthouse became functional but it was certainly operational in 1862.

There is also no record of why it was painted in eye-catching red.

In 1900, Watchet was hit by a devastating storm which wreaked havoc on the harbour and its boats, destroying most of the West Pier.

But the lighthouse was saved from the wreckage and re-erected a few years later following major repairs to the harbour.