PROCEEDS totalling £10,000 from a recently-published book Deepest Somerset, which explores the history, characters, stories, and diversity of the county, have benefited three local charities, including Somerset Community Foundation.

The book, written by journalists Fanny Charles and Gay Pirrie-Weir, has an introduction by Prince Charles and was funded by the Rothermere Foundation.

Contributors included some of the county’s most creative and engaging residents including Michael Eavis, Cameron Mackintosh, and Alice, Julian, and Matilda Temperley.

The two other local charities benefiting from the book were the Children’s Hospice South West and the Farming Community Network.

Gay and Fanny said: “We are delighted to support the important work of the community foundation, which helps so many groups and individuals across the county.

“The pandemic and the lockdowns hit everyone, and the community foundation have provided financial and other support to so many in need.”

Copies of the book, which retail at £25 each, can be purchased from many local book stockists or online here www.deepestbooks.co.uk.