WATCHET has been selected as a category finalist at the annual Alzheimer’s Society Dementia Friendly Awards.

The town is in the running to be named the Rural Dementia Friendly Community of the Year.

Watchet Dementia Action Alliance (DAA) has been a catalyst, building on the great community spirit in the town enabling it to work towards becoming dementia friendly.

Watchet DAA is a group made up of 25 organisations that are all determined to make a difference to lives of people with dementia in the local area.

From the bowls club to the barber, from churches to pubs, from the large Royal British Legion club to the smallest sole trader, all have wanted to become involved.

Now in their third year, the 2016 awards have attracted the highest number of nominations to date, with 400 entries.

Jeremy Hughes, Alzheimer’s Society chief executive, said: “This is our biggest and best ever Dementia Friendly Awards with a record number of nominations and a number of new awards this year.

“The variety and quality of submissions really demonstrate the success and commitment across England, Wales and Northern Ireland to build Dementia Friendly Communities which bring about positive change for people affected by dementia at a local level.”

Winners will be revealed at the awards ceremonies taking place in London on November 30.