A NEW community survey has revealed Minehead residents are proud of their town and value its sense of community - but think there are several key areas where improvements are urgently needed.

The survey, conducted by Minehead and Coast Development Trust (MCDT), received 214 responses from local people during March and April.

Residents described the town as a good place to live, with many highlighting its community spirit, natural environment, and a sense of belonging.

They also identified a number of challenges facing the town, including inadequate public transport, poor access to services, employment and education opportunities, particularly for young people.

An MCDT spokesperson said: “The results demonstrated a strong link to Minehead's natural environment, with 93 per cent of respondents saying they feel connected to the town's open spaces and natural landscapes.

“Many also expressed a desire to become more involved in environmental activities such as wildlife-friendly gardening, litter picks, and wildlife surveys.”

MCDT operations manager Zara Aitken said: "It is encouraging to find that so many people feel proud of Minehead and value the strong sense of community that exists here.

“The survey has also highlighted some clear priorities for the future, many of which we know are shared across the wider community.

“The results will help us and our partners to better understand local priorities and identify opportunities where we can support positive change."

The survey forms part of MCDT's ongoing work to understand community needs and ensure local people have a voice in shaping future projects and initiatives.

When residents were asked what they would like to see in Minehead in the future, the most frequent answers included better public transport, both in the town and linking with Taunton, more festivals and cultural events, better health and wellbeing facilities, a community swimming pool, and improvements on the sea front.