THE original organiser of Glastonbury Festival says he could never have set it up anywhere else.

Michael Eavis was talking to around 100 delegates at a summit to discuss everything that is best about our county ahead of the annual Somerset Day on Thursday, May 11.

Speaking at the event at Wyke Farms, in Wyke Champflower, Mr Eavis said: "Somerset is full of non-conformists and original thinkers.

"It’s very anti-establishment - it has been since my family moved here over 150 years ago, has been for hundreds of years before that.

"There is nowhere else I could have created The Glastonbury Festival."

The meeting looked at how corporate and civil communities can combine to drive further engagements, collaboration and awareness over the coming months.

Nigel Muers-Raby, chairman of Passion for Somerset, which runs Somerset Day, said the initiative is "a growing force in the promotion of Somerset across the region and in its promotion to national, and increasingly international audiences".

Mr Muers-Raby said the county has potentially more to offer than anywhere else in the UK and deserves greater recognition.

He said: "With an economy and manufacturing base predicted to generate £11 billion by 2021 and showcasing the best of British in industries ranging from farming to aerodynamics and not forgetting tourism, Somerset is incredibly special.

"Yet it is still one of the best kept secrets in the UK.

"Take tourism and leisure alone - this generates over £1.3 billion a year to Somerset, along with 25 million visits annually to the county’s beautiful sites.

“While those of us who live, work and play here already know how special the county is, we need to tell the world what Somerset has to offer and invite broader communities to share in the celebrations with us.

"Somerset Day is just one annual day in a much bigger journey of promotion and celebration of what the county has to offer.”

Other speakers included Richard Clothier, Managing Director of Wyke Farms, Kit Chapman, from Taunton's Castle Hotel, and John Turner, of Visit Somerset.

Plans to boost Somerset Day include social media campaigns, marketing and co-ordination around celebratory events, information and publicity, while a website - www.somersetday.com - has been launched.

And you can follow the hashtag on #LoveSomerset on social media or for further information e-mail info@somersetday.com Let us know your plans for Somerset Day?