WATCHET youngsters jumped over a weathervane to maintain a centuries old tradition and celebrate a new installation in the town's Memorial Ground.

Watchet Conservation Society joined forces with Watchet Town Council to provide a new top for the existing beacon in the children's playground.

And pupils from Knights Templar First School performed a ceremony that should give them something to tell their children and grandchildren about.

The jumping over the weathervane ceremony has its roots steeped in the past when local youngsters were often allowed to jump over them on the ground before they were put on church or cathedral spires.

When adults they could then point to the weathervane high in the sky and boast they had jumped over it.

The Watchet weathervane was erected temporarily underneath the climbing tower walkway in the Memorial Ground playground to allow the children to 'jump' in safety.

And they were each presented with a certificate and photograph to commemorate the day while they waited for the weathervane to be winched atop its final resting place.

The town council, which owns the land and playground, had been struggling to decide the future of the beacon, which was put up some years ago to be used as a brazier to be lit at times of national celebrations and special events.

However, more recently it has fallen into disuse because of health and safety concerns over its location within a playground.

With the council facing a potentially large bill for removing it and making it safe, conservation society members stepped in to help think up an alternative to demolition.

Months of discussion between the two organisations resulted in the weathervane project, which won the backing of the council's tourism and leisure committee.

The cost of a bespoke design by a local or regional based craftsman proved too much for the conservation society coffers to bear so a gilded sailboat - to reflect Watchet's maritime heritage - was finally sourced by John Irven, a conservation society member and town councillor.

It was installed by local contractor Ian Wedlake with the help of conservation society member Paul Reynolds, with the costs funded from the society's membership fees and fundraising activities.

The town council, however, will cover the ongoing insurance of the new installation.

Conservation society chairman Molly Quint described the partnership project as a wonderful way of enhancing Watchet.

"It was delightful to see the children enjoying this unique ceremony," she said.

Meanwhile, town council chairman Cllr Sally de Renzy-Martin said she was extremely pleased with the partnership approach.

"We hope it will be kept safe and secure by succeeding Watchet generations for our children," she said.