MAKING Bedford Square bloom may be a good idea — but members of Tavistock Town Council are concerned about the cost of floral decorations.

At the recent meeting of the properties committee members discussed the possibilities of 'flower towers' which they understood would be both removable and vandal-proof.

Councillors were told the cost for a three-tier unit would be £439. They also understood Tavistock Chamber of Commerce said it might find a sponsor for the plants.

Cllr Ted Sherrell said there was a certain ambiguity about the maintenance issue. He also questioned who was going to pay for it.

Town clerk Roger Howard said the chamber felt it would be a good idea to enliven Bedford Square. He believed they expected the council to provide the capital cost and the chamber would get sponsorship.

Cllr Sherrell said in the situation in which the council found itself now it could not afford to spend this sort of money to start with.

'If someone else was to do so then we would look at it in a different light,' he said.

Mayor Roger Mathew said if the items were movable perhaps the vandals would remove them. He brought up the fact that one cafe had had to put up CCTV to deter vandals from damaging their flower tubs.

'It sounds great but there are so many other things that have to be considered.

'We have a situation in Tavistock that these things that help to improve the town are not appreciated and destroyed by others. If we had to consider putting up CCTV the cost adds up,' he said.

Cllr Norma Woodcock said the council did not have the money, but felt, like many people, this was an opportunity for people to become involved in the enhancement of the square.

Cllr David Stapleton said: 'I'm anxious to sent out a positive message from this committee that we do want to put colour and enhance the square as best as possible.'

Members said they liked the idea in principal and decided to explore the matter further.