Somme residents to pick new name

RESIDENTS in the Somme are being asked to find themselves a name - with options so far ranging from Sommois to Sommeliers.

The Conseil Général de la Somme and local media organisations are joining together for the operation where residents are asked to suggest possible names. By the end of this month the best three will be put forward for a new vote to end on December 14.

The plan follows a similar scheme in neighbouring Seine-Maritime in 2006 where 400,000 residents voted to call themselves Seinomarins.

Voting for the Somme 'brand' name can be done online at the specially-created website www.donnonsnousunnom.fr or with leaflets and ballot boxes available from newsagents, at the conseil général offices or by post.