A TRUE community project has come to fruition in Withypool with the official unveiling of the village's Diamond Jubilee commemorative bench.

Villagers marked Queen Elizabeth's 60th anniversary with a host of events last year, including a big lunch, a jubilee beacon on Withypool Hill and a horse ride across the moor.

However, just enough money was left over from the celebrations, plus a donation from the parish council, to pay for a special bench to mark the day.

Craftsman Tony Hemming made the bench, Mike Witney donated a brass plaque, Caroline Nunneley arranged for it to be engraved and Melvin, June and Geoff Zeitzen, together with Andrew Blackmore, organised and constructed the base.

Val Warner, chairman of the village's jubilee committee, officially presented the bench to Tony Howard, the vice-chairman of the parish council, who accepted it on behalf of the village.

Pictured with the bench are, from the left, Tony Hemming, Mike Witney, Melvyn Zeitzen, Val Warner, Edna Hayes of the jubilee committee, Tony Howard, Geoff Zeitzen, Sue Wakeham of the jubilee committee and, on the seat, Emily Zeitzen and Andrew Blackmore.