A DVD focussing on Tavistock Abbey is to be launched for sale this week by the town's museum — thanks to a bumper year for visitors.

The film made in 2006 by Denhams for the local history society is ten minutes in length and has a commentary by broadcaster Chris Denham.

Over the years it has been shown in the museum to thousands of visitors but until now has not been available to purchase.

The film contains some impressive high-level views of the town area taken from the parish church tower, and some shots of the spectacular roof inside the Abbey Chapel porch.

This latter location is not normally open to the public but will be tomorrow (Friday) and Saturday for Tavistock Open Heritage.

Roderick Martin, secretary to the Museum Trustees, said: 'Sadly very little remains of the once great abbey in Tavistock.

'The film was made in order to show what the abbey complex once may have looked like and explains the relevance of the various surviving remnants of the buildings.

'On many occasions we have been asked for DVD copies of the film but until recently we have not had the finances to make a sufficient quantity to cover our production costs.

'Fortunately this season has been a good one for us and our extra income from visitor donations has allowed us to go ahead.'

The film of Tavistock Abbey can be viewed at Tavistock Museum (open daily 11am to 3pm) and a DVD copy may be purchased in a presentation case price £8.