MORE than 500 ideas and observations on Tavistock have been tallied up as a result of the series of Towns Alive meetings held in the town since the beginning of November.

The meetings, regularly attended by around 50 businessmen and woman from in and around Tavistock, are part of the regeneration scheme brought to the town by Tavistock Forward.

The final meeting, presided over by Graham Vallis, whose company specialises in town regeneration, concentrated on planning for individual business growth and for expansion of Tavistock as a whole.

Mr Vallis said: 'Businesses and towns are dependent upon each other. Without a sound business base, towns begin to suffer and a town without attractions and amenities which encourage people to use and settle in it, sees businesses in decline.'

An action plan for Tavistock, based on the results of the weekly meetings, is now being drawn up.

A further meeting is being held in the Bedford Hotel on January 10 to develop the action plan, which will be presented to an invited audience early next year.

l Look out for the questionnaire in next week's Times, in which you can get involved in shaping the future of Tavistock.

There's also the chance to win £100 in a competition to find the best new slogan for Tavistock..