When the wheels stopped turning on Radstock's mining industry, which had been so dominant throughout the 20th century, the town turned a ghostly quiet.

The last mine closed in 1973 and although a stunning museum celebrates that mining past and even offers visitors a virtual reality underground tour, critics say that the town does not have a glorious future.

But if rumours and plans do become concrete, that is far from the truth.

In its heyday Radstock was a noisy, active and expansive area, part of a coal field where 79 mines once turned out 1,250,000 tons of the black gold - every year. The industry was so big that miners from South Wales would pack their hankies and arrive to make their fortune.

With industry thriving, so did the local economy and the local football club, established in 1895 and who, in 1903, were the proud winners of the Somerset Cup.

During those times, Radstock dug more than coal; it hewed out foundations, communities and organisations that still thrive today. Such as the local and still independent of the national chain, Co-op. They delivered door to door to the miners' cottages lined up along the lanes that went into the mines. One of the big changes will be that the store, central to the town will be torn down, probably this year, and replaced with an enterprise area, a business hub and homes.

Today, without being defined by the mining Radstock can feel a bit lost.

While the Mayor celebrates the town with three positive words: Confident, Friendly,Legacy, others are more circumspect - Does Require Improvement, was one offer, Grey, Dull, Forgettable was another.

Many who live in the new housing developments chose to commute into Bath. Interestingly as all those cars are idling on the inevitable static lines into the city, cycling fans, of whom there are many in the town, point out that if the cycle path was cleared, you could pedal into the city in less than 30 minutes.

Within the housing estates the new Radstock residents are infuriated by the lack of play areas, cafes and shops. One of the main roads within one estate is reportedly so narrow that two cars cannot pass each other.

Another tantalising option for the town - revive the railway. The line is still there and if it was developed people living in Radstock could find themselves in central London in ninety minutes. There are plans in the works, but the residents of Radstock are generally disheartened that nothing appears to get done.

Overlooked and many say, unloved, the town once had a strong identity and the local football club still has many fans one offering their three words as Great Football Club, but sadly many others say that Radstock's past is all it has.

Not so say the Town Council, who are busy redefining how business is done, actively seeking out the community with a new team and a new location.