THE deadline for nominations has passed and the polls are now open to find a fitting name for Somerset’s new community flood support boat.

Somerset County Council asked members of the public to send in their suggested names and received more than 100 entries.

These have been whittled down to a shortlist by a panel of judges and you can now go online to vote for your favourite.

Here are the choices:

Spirit of the Levels

Flood Flyer

Resilience

Somerset Smile

Willow

Spirit of Somerset

A spokesman for Somerset County Council said: “The boat naming competition seems to have really captured the public’s imagination and we’d like to thank everyone who has sent in their suggestions.

“Now for the exciting bit - it’s your chance to vote for your favourite. Simply go online to www.somersetnewsroom.com and take part in our online poll.”

All the entries were considered by a panel of judges which was made up of Somerset County Council officers, Val and Chris Whitcombe from the Maunsel Lock Canal Centre, and members of FLAG, the Flooding on the Levels Action group. Many of the entries were submitted via Facebook and Twitter.

The new community flood support boat has been funded by Somerset County Council in partnership with South Somerset District Council.

It arrived in Somerset last month and will be based at the Maunsel Lock Canal Centre near North Newton where it will be kept on standby in case of future flooding emergencies.