The people of Weston-super-Mare reacted to the news that the town centre has received Purple Flag status for its safe and vibrant nightlife.

Purple flag assessors praised the town centre for its wide range of entertainment and restaurants and approved North Somerset Council’s bid after a December inspection.

Town centre manager Steve Townsend said it was ‘brilliant’ news, but it received a mixed reaction on Facebook, with many questioning the description of Weston as ‘vibrant’.

In answer to a Mercury poll, more than half of people disagreed that Weston town centre was safe, with many saying the town needs more emergency services late at night.

Wendy Beecham said: “’Vibrant’, now that’s a word I haven’t heard said about Weston town centre for a long time.

“Not sure it’s the correct word to use either. So, it was inspected just before Christmas – when there was probably more people going into town than usual and were in a happier, festive mood. Perhaps it ought to be inspected mid-February to see if it has the same vibe.”

Wendy Hughes added: “It was a great seaside resort, but now it is looking like a dead town at night, the only safe place is the pier it’s just a shame that it’s not open 24 hours (a day).”

There was some positive reaction to the news, as Weston joins Bristol and Bath as a ‘vibrant’ place along with 70 other towns or cities across the UK.

Jennifer Preston said: “Such a shame all we hear is negative comments. Weston could be so much more but it is down to the people out at night to behave better and then it would become better.”

Terri Welsman said that the development of Dolphin Square could help boost the town’s nightlife, which relies heavily on its restaurant trade.

She commented: “There are some excellent restaurants in Weston.

“Hopefully the Dolphin Square development will help the situation.”