NEXT week will see the launch of one of the biggest event’s in the Ilminster calendar.

The annual Ilminster Midsummer Experience, or IMEx, returns on Thursday, June 8 and will run through until June 11.

The event is preceded by the Ilminster Flag Festival, which started on Sunday and runs through the duration of the month.

The event’s main organiser is Michael Fry-Foley of Experience Ilminster.

He said: “In its tenth year it is now firmly in place as one of the town’s summer highlights.

“Quite literally the flagship of the event is more than 100 flags which will be up for four weeks.

“Over the four days there are more than 25 events including all the traditional activities such as the food and craft market on Saturday, and on Sunday on the Recreation Ground there is the classic car show, fun dog show, the great fun fair and the food court, this year with pizzas, crepes, exotic burgers, tasty sausage and bacon baps washed down with delicious hot and cold drinks.

“You can also join in Rotary’s lunch on the Rec, this year with a fabulous menu of locally sourced food and drink. Open to all so get a group of friends together and take a table – there is nothing as nice as eating in the open air, albeit under canvas. We are in England, after all.

“This year there will be several new events starting with the innovative suitcase market in the Market House.

“This is not a market where you can buy your holiday suitcase. It is a place where micro-craft makers can sell their superb works out of a suitcase-sized pitch and is a chance to pick up a unique work from local artists.”

Also at the weekend, the Gledholt Choir perform in the Minster, the community drive in Greenfylde School, open days at the Warehouse Theatre and the Masonic Lodge, disabled strongman Gary Clarke, and a strolling garage sale throughout the town with maps available on the day.