A BRAND new bus service goes on trial in Tavistock this month in a bid to boost business and cut parking congestion.

The Hoppa bus scheme is spearheaded by Tavistock Forward — the group hopes the project will encourage shoppers to leave their cars at home or outside town and use the bus instead.

John Taylor, vice-chairman of Tavistock Forward, said: 'Basically, it will be a continuous service, stopping wherever people hail it.

'The route is a circular figure of eight between Safeway in the south of the town and Somerfield in the north.'

The first trial period for the Hoppa bus will be between the hours of 10am and 4pm on Friday December 17 and Saturday December 18, with a fixed fare of 20p.

The bus will leave Somerfield on the hour and half past the hour, reaching Safeway about 15 minutes later allowing for stops.

'We are using a Holman's 16-seater minibus and we'll put a sign in front where people can see it.

'There will be three volunteers working both days and also somebody from Devon County Council on board to see how it goes,' said Mr Taylor.

The minibus is being sponsored for the trial weekend by Tavistock-based Wessex Heritage, but if the idea takes off, Tavistock Forward hopes the service can be extended.

The Holman's minibus is used for a school run, so a 10am to 3pm service could be run on week-days, with extra runs on busy Saturdays.

In addition to reducing the number of cars in the town centre, the group hopes the bus will increase mobility for elderly and young people with an easy and cheap alternative method of moving around.

'For example, elderly people can get the Hoppa from the bus station to Bedford Square to catch a taxi,' said Mr Taylor.

'The more people we can pull into the town the better. It's really to help business as well as local people to move around,' he said.

Moira Andrews, chairman of Tavistock Forward, said: 'Tavistock is the largest and most important of all the stannary towns in Devon. We already attract many visitors but with this new bus service even more people will now be able to experience the atmosphere of this historic town, including the unique shops and market.'

Diane Tatham, of Bob Tatham Sportswear, said: 'It would be super, something like that. The more people you can bring in, the better. It's a good idea.'

Derek Evans, store manager at Boots, said: 'You have to try these things and we can't be negative about it — I just hope it doesn't take people out of the centre of town to Safeway.'

Eddie Carruthers, of Barkells and newly-elected chairman of Tavistock Action Group, said: 'I think it's a good idea, anything that benefits the town is good if it works.'

The bus will travel from Somerfield along Parkwood Road and Dolvin Road into Bedford Square and to Safeway via West Street and Ford Street.

The return leg of the route uses Plymouth Road, Bedford Square, Duke Street and Brook Street.

The bus will be on show at Dickensian Evening tomorrow (Friday), when information about the service will be distributed by members of Tavistock Forward.