A memorial to a beloved Somerset goose will be unveiled next month in the coastal town which became her town.

Derek, a female goose, became a cult figure in Watchet on the west Somerset coast after arriving during a storm in 2010 and refusing to leave with the rest of her flock.

She became a fixture of Watchet life, with locals and visitors feeding her cabbage and Weetabix, until her passing in October 2021.

Following a successful crowdfunding campaign by a local resident, Somerset West and Taunton Council has confirmed a memorial to Derek will be unveiled at the next Watchet Street Fair on October 2.

Councillor Loretta Whetlor, who represents Watchet and Williton, broke the happy news at a full council meeting in Taunton on September 6.

She said: “Once in Watchet, we had a very famous goose, whose nickname was Derek.

“Derek was actually a female, and she met her demise – we have no idea how, but we know when.

“One of the residents was so upset about this, that she actually put out a GoFundMe page and raised a lot of money.”

The crowdfunding campaign was led by Watchet resident Carron Scott and has raised more than £1,100.

Ms Whelor added: “Between myself, her and Chris Billingham, who is an amazing artist, we have come up with a wonderful tribute to this goose. It will be unveiled on the first Sunday in October at our street fair.

“We had money come in from Australia, from America – people who have been to Watchet and had seen this goose and who were very, very upset about the demise of poor Derek.”

The memorial will be sited on Watchet Harbour near the Marina, which has become the site of several prominent pieces of public art as well as the new East Quay art gallery and associated complex.

The harbour is currently home to a statue commemorating sea shanty author John Short (known as ‘Yankee Jack’) and Samuel Taylor Coleridge’s Ancient Mariner, the titular character of The Rime of the Ancient Mariner which took inspiration from the area.

Councillor Caroline Ellis said she would be happy to attend the unveiling.

She said: “It sounds stonkingly great. I love public art and Watchet is already blessed with an amazing public art scene.

“It’s the one place that really knows how to do site-based public art that actually resonates with local history really well.”