A REPLICA Spitfire sculpture and and a wildflower meadow are just two of the ideas put forward to enhance a village roundabout in West Devon.

The suggestions to improve the roundabout at Yelverton have been put forward by residents following a call for enhancement by a bed retailer based in the village looking to sponsor the landmark.

An invitation was put out in December by British Beds Worldwide Ltd (BBW) for local residents to suggest ideas for the improvement of the roundabout.

Since then, there have been several suggestions ranging from a replica Sheepstor to a Spitfire sculpture in remembrance of Harrowbeer's wartime status and a wild-flower meadow, perhaps with Dartmoor animal sculptures.

BBW director Roger Charles said: 'The ideas are quite varied, but all agree that the roundabout does not give a good first impression, offers little to attract people to the village and does not reflect at all what the community or the moor has to offer.

'It is boring and more than a little tired, and given its position as the real gateway to the south-west moor, it could and should have far more appeal than at present.

'It may be that many other businesses, clubs, associations, sculptors, landscape gardeners, councillors and community organisations as well as members of the public feel the same.'

BBW is inviting anyone with any views on, or interest in the matter to attend a meeting at Yelverton Church Hall on Saturday, April 5 at 11am for a two-hour open forum, with coffee and biscuits provided by BBW, to hear the suggestions that have been received and perhaps to decide on a way forward.

Mr Charles said: 'Let's make the roundabout help to make Yelverton a place where people want to stop, rather than just drive by.

'If French villages can make their roundabouts attractively memorable and representative of the local community and culture, so can we!

'British Beds Worldwide is very happy to contribute to the cost but the more contributors there are, the better the potential enhancements.'