NEW faces will shortly be seen in Tavistock's market and cemetery, following the appointment of two new officers by the town council.

John Brady is due to take over the post of market reeve from Keith Spiers in April.

Mr Brady was manager of the Armada Shopping Centre when it first opened in Plymouth and spent nine years working there.

He said he is looking forward to taking up his new post in Tavistock and sees it as a completely new challenge.

Mr Brady said: 'I see it more than just managing the market, I see it more as promoting Tavistock town.

'I see it as talking Tavistock up, rather than down.'

Mr Brady said he had lots of ideas for the market.

'One of the things I would like to do when I am in post is to keep the story changing all the time, so there is always something of interest going on,' he said.

He would also like to see more young people and children using the market.

As a former market trader himself, he said he noticed a lack of youngsters using the facility.

He aims to keep and increase the number of traders and said everybody needs to work together for the good of the market and consequently, the town.

'I feel I have a lot of experience and skill in the retail world, in man management and property management — I think I have a lot to offer,' he said.

Mr Brady is currently studying for a Masters degree in business administration at the University of Plymouth following his retirement from the Armada Centre.

He also imports and exports olive oil from Crete, Greece and Italy, as a hobby-cum-small business.

Mr Brady lives at Carkeel near Saltash. He is married with two adult children.

And on the other side of town, Brian Brown, of Tavistock, has taken over as cemetery superintendent from Douglas Parkhouse.

Mr Brown is married with two adult children and lives at Westbridge. Originally from Yorkshire, he spent 14 years serving with the Royal Marines after leaving school, and has been employed with the town council's works department until taking over his new post.

Mr Brown said his new job was somewhat 'daunting', but he was looking forward to the challenge.

He said: 'It's completely different to anything I have experienced before.

'Obviously, I am meeting people in a difficult position, coping with bereavement, but I hope I'm going to be successful in the job.'