PORLOCK Vale has become the latest West Somerset area to create a Coastal Communities Team (CCT).

The Watchet and Minehead CCT’s have already had success with Watchet developing street fairs and bringing in additional colourful signage among other things and the Minehead has spruced up a eyesore green box on the seafront, added a Maritime Mile trail and improved its website.

Porlock is now following in their footsteps and had its launch meeting on Thursday, January 24 at Porlock Village Hall.

The meeting was led by district Cllr Karen Mills and a small team who are spearheading the project, with Naomi Griffith from the Watchet CCT giving a background on what the scheme had done for her town.

So far the committee has used some of its funding to launch a brand new website, www.porlock.co.uk, draw up an economic plan and produce a new and refreshed village leaflet.

Plans in the pipeline include proposals to improve the Porlock Visitor Centre, a project at Porlock Marsh to add new signage and seating as well as potentially some viewing platforms, and there is a long-term ambition to create a Craft Centre which would showcase how local specialist items are produced.

Cllr Mills said: “A lot of the aim is drawing in people to the area and better exploiting our unique selling points.

“We all know this is a wonderful place to visit but we want to spread the word, attract tourism and make Porlock Vale more of an experience,”

It was suggested at the meeting the PVCCT could work to make more of the Vale’s history and connections having high profile events linked to Lorna Doone, Ada Lovelace, or joining in more with the success of Exmoor National Park’s Dark Skies Festival or Porlock Bay Oysters.

The PVCCT is also looking to shoot a new promotional video for the Vale which can go on the website and be shared on social media showing what is on offer.

If you are interested in finding out more and how you can contribute to PVCCT, call Karen Mills on 01643 863409.