THE Minehead in Bloom Committee has bounced back to winning ways by being one of the 20 prize winners in the nationwide Millennium 2000 Roses Competition.

The competition, organised by the British Rose Growers Association, asked entrants to design a Millennium Rose Garden which would brighten up their environment.

Minehead finished runner-up last week in the Britain in Bloom national award after scooping the prize the last two years it was eligible to enter.

With the backing of the town council the committee entered a design for a rose garden and picnic area to be sited on the land by the footpath from Seaward Way to Alcombe.

As winners of the competition the town will receive 100 rose plants, including floribundas, climbers, ground cover, shrub roses and standard roses.

These plants as well as seating, picnic benches and a pergola are destined for both the garden and picnic area.

The garden is planned as a memorial of both the year 2000 and of Minehead's commitment to improve its environment through permanent planting and annual floral displays.

Somerset Day Services have expressed an interest in using the garden as a work experience placement for clients whilst overall responsibility for maintenance will rest with Minhead Town Council.

"We are delighted to hear that we have won this competition," said Bryan Furney, chairman of the Minehead in Bloom Committee.

"Our committee works extremely hard all year round to keep Minehead looking good and this garden is a memorial to their efforts," he said.

"We are hoping others in the town will join Somerset Day Services in supporting our efforts.

"This project will become a fitting tribute to a unique moment in our life times and to the whole community, as well as being a place which will give much enjoyment to residents and visitors."