THE ban on Tavistock Peace Action Group holding a stall in the Pannier Market was this week overturned by town councillors.

But the action group has been told it must agree not to campaign from the stall, solicit the signing of petitions or force leaflets upon people.

Councillors said the town clerk had acted in good faith in taking the decision last month to exclude the peace action group from the pannier market.

He did so under a 1986 act, which forbids local authorities from assisting anyone to publicise any material which supports a political aim or campaign.

Councillors meeting on Tuesday agreed to allow special interest and community groups such as the action group to book a space in the market, where pitches had not been taken up by commercial traders.

The motion was put forward by Cllr Roger Mathew.

Cllr Ted Sherrell, supporting the motion, said: ?The important thing is to take the word ?political? out of the equation, because it is subjective. If there is a stall available, it is income for the town. I hope to see many diverse groups take advantage of it.?

Cllr Judith Williams raised some concerns about the idea of allowing too many community groups to have stalls in the market.

?This is primarily a trading market. I do have a problem if we are going to have two, three or more stalls that are not trading. I have some slight doubts in my mind about how this will be able to operate in a fair way, both to the traders and to community groups.?

Members of the peace action group indicated to councillors that they would have no difficulty in subscribing to any of the conditions proposed, which offered a solution they felt was fair to the council, traders, community groups and the public.

West Devon and Torridge MP John Burnett wrote to town mayor Marjorie Corner to support the action group?s request for a stall in the market.

He said the group had many active members and supporters from across the political spectrum whose objective was the promotion of peace.

After the council?s decision Mr Burnett said: ?I am extremely pleased the council have reconsidered this matter and allowed freedom of expression and allowed a legitimate, non-political community group to promote their cause.

?We have a great tradition of freedom of speech and expression and I am pleased the town council have acknowledged that.?

Peace action group member Geri Laithwait said: ?I am very pleased that the town council have seen sense and acknowledged the fact that the Tavistock Peace Action Group is not a political party.

?We now have the chance to continue to provide anti-war literature and information on the peace group.?