CHAGFORD Business Association is hoping to entice national and international visitors back to the Dartmoor town with a brand new glossy publication.

The six-page marketing leaflet begins: 'Walk from the town straight up Meldon Hill for incredible views; stroll and picnic by the River Teign, explore the extensive range of shops or simply sit in The Square and enjoy a locally made ice cream.

'There is something for everyone in Chagford!'

Produced with support and funding from Devon and West Somerset Key Fund, 30,000 copies of the new Chagford leaflet are being distributed worldwide.

Chairman of the Business Association Chris Webber said there had been no new marketing literature to promote the town for many years and in the wake of foot and mouth disease, visitor numbers were down more than 50 per cent.

'Local businesses have suffered badly from the crisis,' he said.

'Members realised that we could not sit back and just expect people to keep coming.

'We are determined to ensure that the name Chagford and all that it encompasses is brought to the attention of as many people as possible.'

Working closely with the Key Fund, Chagford Business Association secured a 90 per cent grant towards the project.

The Key Fund is a community enterprise fund aimed at groups that wish to develop projects to improve their towns and villages or local area and bring some economic benefit to the community.

Since it started in February 2000, the fund has provided support to over 300 communities/projects in rural Devon.

Key Fund manager Charlotte Benson said: 'The Chagford project is particularly well timed with the effects of foot and mouth making it even more critical to promote the town as widely as possible.

'The leaflet should ensure not only the community has a greater chance of gaining visitors this year, but it will also have a strong, longer term viability.'

Designed and produced by Mike Uttley of ShockShock Design, Moretonhampstead, the leaflet, which will also be distributed locally, will be added to the information currently held on the town's website at http://www.chagford-parish.co.uk">www.chagford-parish.co.uk.