A MEMORIAL to the victims of the M5 crash is being officially unveiled on Sunday (November 4).

A split tree carving with seven named benches to remember each person who died, produced by Tom Hills, of Green Space Designs Ltd, is being dedicated at Hankridge.

Bereaved families, civic leaders and representatives of the emergency services are attending the private ceremony for invited guests only.

It will be introduced by the Rev Adrian Prior-Sankey, with Taunton Deane MP Jeremy Browne performing the unveiling and the Archdeacon of Taunton, the Rev John Reed, dedicating the memorial.

A fund to pay for the memorial was launched at a football match between Wellington and Taunton following last year’s tragedy.

Ken Bird, of the M5 Memorial Fund, said: “This tragedy devastated our community and we just wanted to do something to ensure those who lost their lives are not forgotten.

“We felt it appropriate to provide somewhere the families could go to remember their loved ones and we hope they will find the memorial area appropriate.

“A lot of people have worked together to make this happen – including the public with their donations – and once again the people of Taunton and Wellington have rallied together.”