A PIONEERING scheme linking education, training and business could be in the pipeline for Tavistock.

The town has been chosen by Devon County Council for a new professional development centre for teachers, a move described as 'tremendous' for education in West Devon.

But John Simes, principal at Tavistock College, has a vision to take the scheme a step further.

'The county has approached me to discuss locating somewhere within Tavistock — I suggested the old BT exchange.

'What we are doing is approaching BT to turn it into an international business school and training centre,' said Mr Simes.

'It's an idea that was only generated last week — it would provide a professional centre for teachers in the area but it would also be a centre for advanced GNVQ, business studies and other courses.

'Hopefully it would attract interest from around the world.

'If it comes off and if we can persuade BT to come in as sponsors this will be a fantastic development.'

Mr Simes said the BT repeater station on Plymouth Road was 'absolutely ideal', being large, close to the college and with its own parking facilities.

'What I would like to happen is to have our own sixth form business studies students run it themselves — it would be a really good interface between school and industry.

Mr Simes said if the county council acquired the building, it could then be used to attract match funding to set up the business school. It's all about partnership,' he said.

'We are waiting to have a meeting with BT's property officers in Birmingham — you have to be realistic, they could say "Sorry folks",' said Mr Simes.

Melvyn Cox, of British Telecom, said: 'We can confirm we have had an approach from the college about the possibility of moving in or taking on our building on Plymouth Road.'

Mr Cox said BT had no immediate plans to move out of the building, which is still operational.

'Obviously if this changes in the future and it ceases to be operational we shall bear their interest in mind,' he said.

Roy Cook, Tavistock's county councillor and ex-vice-chairman of the education committee, was 'over the moon' about the decision to develop a teachers' development centre in Tavistock.

He said: 'Once more it's putting West Devon on the map.

'It's a tremendous step forward and in the long run it's going to be a great advantage to the whole area educationally.'

Mr Cook said there would be discussions with West Devon Council to find temporary accommodation for the centre, which the county wants open by April 2000.