A SOMERSET community land trust meeting this month will hear from an expert in the field - quite literally - in the form of Glastonbury Festival founder, Michael Eavis.

Famous for co-founding the Glastonbury Festival – which celebrates its 50th birthday this year - Mr Eavis' financial and practical support for social housing is less well known outside of his native Pilton, where he is currently planning the final phase of a 50-house development on land he has gifted to the community.

And he will be guest of honour at the annual general meeting of West Somerset Community Land Trust (WSCLT) on February 26.

Maureen Smith, chair of the WSCLT board, said: “Social housing can only be provided with assistance of some grant funding or the provision of low cost land which would not receive planning permission for market homes.

"We are looking for land owners like Michael Eavis, who are willing to help and have the guarantee that the homes will remain in community ownership forever."

The WSCLT is led by local volunteers and needs as many local people as possible to become members, for a one-off payment of £1, to increase our voice and widen our network of volunteer talent.

For more information about WSCLT, contact Hester Watson on 01643 821768 or email hester@wsclt.com.

General information about community land trusts can be found on www.communitylandtrusts.org.uk.

The general meeting gets underway at 8 pm (refreshments from 7.30pm) on February 26 at the Quaker Meeting House, in Bancks Street, Minehead.

Everyone is welcome to attend, particularly anyone who is concerned about the shortage of social housing in our area, including potential tenants.