A REAL Somerset dragon has joined the judging panel of our A Flag for Somerset competition.

Dragons’ Den investor and entrepreneur Deborah Meaden is to join the judges for the competition to design a new county flag for Somerset.

Somerset-born Deborah said she is looking forward to seeing the designs which are already flying into the competition.

Deborah’s commitment and support for business in Somerset is well known. In 2009 she invested in one of Somerset’s oldest businesses, Fox Brothers, in Wellington, manufacturers of fine woollen fabrics, when it was on the verge of closure.

In 2011, The Merchant Fox was launched, an on-line venture selling an exquisite collection of British made goods with provenance.

Nigel Muers-Raby, of joint sponsors Pardoes Solicitors, said: “We are delighted Deborah has agreed to join the judging panel and are confident that her support for this competition will encourage more people to enter.

“Somerset is the only county in the West Country not to have an official flag and this is a once in a lifetime opportunity for those born, living or working in Somerset to help ‘fly the flag’ for our wonderful county.”

There’s a place in history, not to mention £250, for the winner, as well as some bubbly for two runners-up.

The dragon, often seen as the Somerset flag, actually belongs to Somerset County Council, which was granted arms by the College of Arms in 1911 of a red dragon holding a civic mace on a gold background.

Many people agree that the dragon is a great symbol with strong links to the county, so entrants should consider including it in their designs.

Judges will be looking for an eye-catching, symbolic design which everyone in the county would be proud to fly. The deadline for entries is May 31.

HOW TO ENTER:

Design your flag on a piece of A4 paper. Entries should be sent to the Somerset County Gazette offices in St James Street, Taunton TA1 1JR, or the offices of Pardoes at West Quay House, Northgate, Bridgwater TA6 3EU or Glenthorne House, 38 Princes Street, Yeovil BA20 1EJ.

Entries can also be scanned and emailed to flag@countygazette.co.uk

Include your name, address, age and daytime phone number.

Judges will shortlist entries, after which the final designs will be published for the people of Somerset to vote for their favourite.

The person gaining the most votes will be unfurled as the winner at a ceremony in July.

See somersetcountygazette.co.uk/flag for details.