BIG financial savings are due to be made in coming months, due to a change in refuse policy at Tavistock's pannier market.

Until recently, the town council had been using eight Biffa bins for its waste at the market, which have been emptied five times a week.

But thanks to a new crushing machine, the council will now be able to reduce its carbon footprint — and save local taxpayers thousands of pounds.

An Orwak compacting system has been used in the market on a free trial basis for a couple of weeks, halving the number of Biffa bins used — with such success that members of the town's properties committee recently agreed two of the units should be bought outright.

The two machines would cost £11,985 — but their use will save the council £12,246.87 this year, and a predicted £10,000 a year in future.

Cllr Mandy Govier said: 'We should get on and purchase this equipment — we will be saving an awful lot of money — it's a complete no-brainer.'

Cllr Harry Smith said: 'To have a payback that's this short term is quite unusual — it's really good.'

Cllr Debo Sellis said the investment sounded an excellent idea — but she wondered what the long-term cost implications were, and maintenance of the machinery.

The committee heard that maintenance would probably cost in the region of £250 a year.

Members agreed the two machines should be purchased.

'It's a spend-save measure,' said town clerk Roger Howard.

The decision was ratified by the full council at its meeting last week.