TRIBUTE will be paid on Somerset Day to people who have made a superhuman effort to keep the county going during the coronavirus pandemic.

The new Somerset Medal will be launched by the county council on Tuesday, Somerset Day.

Despite many events being curtailed due to Covid-19 restrictions, there is still a lot happening to mark the occasion.

The council will reveal the Somerset Medal winners on Somerset Day as a big thank you to our unsung heroes.

We're being encouraged to 'Fly the Flag for Somerset', with organisers urging people to cover the county in red and yellow flags, bunting and window stickers from this weekend through to Tuesday.

The leader of Somerset County Council, Cllr David Fothergill, will be raising the Somerset flag outside County Hall on Somerset Day.

He has also been one of the judges in this year’s ‘Design a Somerset Flag’ competition, alongside cabinet member for customers and communities Cllr Christine Lawrence and Somerset Day founder and chief executive Nigel Muers-Raby.

The competition attracted more than 280 entries.

The judges faced a tough task in selecting the winners after youngsters from across Somerset submitted an array of creative and colourful flags for the contest.

There are plenty of ways to get involved in Somerset Day on social media. You can post pictures of you with your Somerset flags and bunting using the hashtag #FLYTHEFLAGFORSOMERSET, or simply post saying why you love Somerset with the #SomersetDay hashtag.

There is the option to download an event pack full of resources which includes a printable Somerset Day flag and Somerset Day bunting, as well as blank templates so that you can design your own. The resource pack can be found www.somersetday.com by going to Get Involved - Somerset Day.

Cllr Fothergill said: “We are all very fortunate to live in this fantastic county. Filled with beautiful scenery and amazing people, and full of fascinating culture and history, there are plenty of reasons to get involved and celebrate Somerset Day.”