EVERYONE in Somerset has a parish or town council elected to look after their interests - apart from the county town of Taunton.

Labour district councillor Libby Lisgo is now busy drumming up support to put that right by creating a Taunton town council.

Ms Lisgo says the situation will get worse if the proposed merger of Taunton Deane Borough and West Somerset Councils gets the go-ahead from the Government.

She said: "A town council will ensure that Taunton’s needs are addressed coherently and strategically by representatives elected from each community working together and accountable to town residents."

A town council would enable the community to have more control over local issues, act as a voice for residents, support local groups and seek grants and funding to top up money raised locally.

Services provided by the authority could include allotments, public toilets, youth projects, street lighting and cleaning, parks, crime reduction measures and community centres.

Ms Lisgo is calling on people who live in the town to support the campaign by signing a petition by clicking here.