The biggest metal miners - so far - have been unveiled at the wheel in Radstock to mark the closure of the last Somerset coalfields, half a century ago.

The stunning statues were revealed by President of Somerset Miners' Welfare Trust (SMWT), Glastonbury founder and former miner, Michael Eavis, introduced by the Chairman, Bryn Hawkins. It was he who revealed that the huge scale miners, the largest so far, will be joined by others around key places in the fields,

There are already works of art designed and made by Dave and Kate Speed, who were also at the ceremony, marking the sites of coal mines in Westfield and Timsbury.

But this was a special statue, and one much admired by the Trust's President, Mr Eavis, whose throaty laugh was unrestrained in spite of being confined to a wheel chair due to a recent operation. Michael who is also patron of the Radstock Museum, worked underground in Chilcompton and made the money to save Worthy Farm, so it could be said it was mining that made Glastonbury Festival.

Laughing and chatting with former miners and friends, he spent over half an hour at the wheel, catching up and sharing jokes.

His visit was the 'official' start to the Radstock Town Fayre behind the Swallow Cafe in Radstock, alongside St Nicholas church. Under a pitch perfect blue sky there were wandering minstrels making mischief from the Natural Theatre Company, a new perspective with the team from Somer Valley Rediscovered, blooms from Radstock in Bloom, and, doubtless from those acting up actors, left over bloomers on the washing line.

Ice cream of course and no fete worth the name without music from Midsomer Norton and Radstock Silver Band.