An Ilminster park is set to be kept cleaner after the town council received a grant from a housing developer.

The £1,000 cheque was handed over by Persimmon Homes South West to Mayor Leanne Taylor at the Market House in late February following the town council's successful application to the builder's Community Champions fund.

The funding will go towards setting up five new replacement dog bins at the Herne Hill Nature Reserve near the planned Persimmon site in Ilminster.

The aim is to create a cleaner and safer environment for all visitors to the reserve.

Persimmon Homes South West sales director, Stacey Harris, said: "Persimmon is very happy to support Ilminster Town Council with its ambitions to keep their beautiful nature reserve green and tidy, especially with the potential for new, high-quality homes in the town that will help ease the housing pressure in the area."

Ilminster Mayor and town councillor, Leanne Taylor, added: "Herne Hill is very popular with Ilminster residents and visitors alike, from children enjoying adventures in the woods to dog walkers out on daily walks and everyone in between.

"So, we’re delighted that the Town Council was successful in its application to Persimmon’s Community Champions fund and will look to get the new bins installed as soon as possible."

Councillor Sue Osborne, Somerset and town councillor for Ilminster, also commented: "I am pleased to see that Persimmon is seeking to help residents in Ilminster after they recently secured outline consent on their development. I know the Town Council are grateful for this grant from Persimmon's community fund.

"We love our open spaces and want everyone walking through Herne Hill to be able to do so without any mess and litter getting in the way.

"I am delighted that the Town Council can act on the concerns of residents and replace the outdated bins for the benefit of all."

Persimmon Homes South West recently obtained outline planning permission to construct up to 400 homes on land south of Canal Way in Ilminster.

35 per cent of these homes will be committed to a local housing association partner.

The scheme will offer gas-free, zero-carbon ready homes fitted with air source heat pumps, solar panels, and electric vehicle charging points.

As part of their S106 commitments, Persimmon will allot nearly £3.5m in financial contributions towards the community.

There are also plans to improve local biodiversity with additions of woodland parks, gardens, rain gardens, urban trees, species-rich meadows, and enhanced ponds and wetlands.

The developer is known to donate more than £700,000 yearly to valuable organisations throughout Britain via its Community Champions scheme.

Other regional beneficiaries have included the Meeting House Ilminster, Wellington Warm Places, and St John’s Ambulance Taunton.