SOMERSET County Council is marking the inaugural Somerset Day on Monday May 11 with a series of exciting events.

To kick start the celebrations, the Somerset Flag will first be raised outside County Hall.

County Council staff have been invited to take part in a ‘Somerset Bake Off’ competition at County Hall by submitting cakes and/or cupcakes with a Somerset theme - either using Somerset produce or depicting Somerset landmarks.

The cakes will be judged on a number of criteria including innovation and creativity, flavour and taste and technical expertise. After winners are announced, the cakes will be available for sale with all proceeds raised going towards the Chairman’s Charities – Somerset Trust for Arts & Recreation (STAR) and the National Autistic Society.

The name of the County’s new community flood support boat will also be revealed on Somerset Day, after a competition which saw the public submit over 100 possible names. T he new boat will be stored at Maunsel Lock Canal Centre and will give groups of disabled people the chance to enjoy Bridgwater & Taunton Canal when not being used for emergency flood support.

The festivities will end in an evening civic event at the Museum of Somerset hosted by Somerset County Council’s chairman, Cllr David Fothergill.

A buffet dinner will be available including refreshments generously sponsored by Thatchers Cider and DJ Miles tea with entertainment provided by Somerset Morris Dancers.

An opening address will be given by His Grace the Duke of Somerset, Patron of Somerset Day, followed by an illustrated and insightful talk on King Alfred’s Somerset by Tom Mayberry, chief executive of the South West Heritage Trust.

The evening will conclude with a charity auction including prizes of a year’s supply of DJ Miles tea, a ride in an Ariel Atom and a tour of the factory, sporting memorabilia including a signed cricket bat and shirt courtesy of Somerset County Cricket Club and a tour of the Quantock Hills with the AONB Ranger team.

A few last remaining tickets for the evening are still available at a cost of £20 per head, which includes a buffet dinner.

For more information or to reserve your ticket, email ltawse@somerset.gov.uk or phone 01823-356859.

The Council’s communications team will also be joining in the celebrations throughout the day by tweeting fun and interesting facts and figures about Somerset.

You can keep in touch on Twitter by following @SomersetCouncil, #SomersetDay.