THE NEW galvanised iron sign at the entrance to Tavistock Pannier Market has attracted favourable comment since it was put up two weeks ago.

The sign, which bears the town coat of arms of a lion, ram and fleur-de-lys on a black background, welcomes visitors to the market and asks them to call again when leaving.

Market traders wanted a permanent and stylish replacement for the white banner which had stretched over the entrance. The idea was to install something which would help to attract more shoppers.

It used to take at least two men to put up the banner on Tuesdays and take it down on Fridays, which was necessary to keep within planning regulations.

Keith Spiers, the market reeve or superintendant, organised the making of the replacement. An initial design was done by local architect Dick Spackman and worked into a final engineering design by ironfounder Michael Broome of Downgate, near Callington. The wording was added by Plymouth signwriter Bob Keegan.

The new sign, which cost less than £1,000 to make, took half a day to put up and was soon being noticed with approval.

'They have done a wonderful job of craftsmanship and it enhances the gateway greatly,' said Mr Spiers. 'All the comment so far has been exceedingly good.'

Whether it will serve its other purpose of drawing in more customers has yet to be proved.