MUSIC and cakes added to the attractions of this year’s Selworthy Church Flower Festival, which was attended by visitors from Minehead to Australia.

All proceeds from the festival, from August 24 to 27, will go towards improvements to make the church to become more of a community centre.

One of the highlights was a concert given by X Factor finalist Jay James, whose family live locally, supported by Becky Lockyer.

Jay sang one of his own compositions, Closing Time. Recorded on his CD The Playlist, this was its first public performance.

It is about a time when he and a group of Navy colleagues were due to leave on a six-month voyage.

A similar theme shone through his version of 500 Miles, which he had performed on the X Factor as an alternative to the choice of his mentor Simon Cowell. At that time Jay was some 250 miles away from his wife and young daughter, and he imagined making the return journey to them, home and back .

Concert organiser Andrew Milne introduced Becky Lockyer, from Williton. Becky has performed with MATA and is due to study drama at London University.

Her repertoire ran from a Les Miserables classic to a theatrical performance of Queen’s Somebody to Love.