ALL 245 businesses in Minehead have now received official ballot papers to vote on a Business Improvement District (BID) scheme for the town.

Their votes will decide if the scheme to inject more than £500,000 over five years into projects that have been decided by the business community will go ahead.

For that to happen, there has to a majority of votes in favour by both number and rateable value.

The Electoral Reform Service will count the votes and the result should be declared on Friday April 27.

Projects include:

* Better marketing, and more, bigger and better events to put Minehead on the map.

* Collective purchasing to save businesses money on their overhead costs.

* Working with the councils and businesses to look at toilet provision in the town, encouraging more coach parties to come to Minehead and visit the whole town not just the seafront.

* It will also help with tidying up the town and cleaning up the scruffy areas that are ignored and disowned by everyone.