A SPECIAL exhibition featuring the history surrounding Tavistock's shops goes on display to the public this Saturday, when the town's museum opens its doors for the new season.

The museum is situated in the ground floor of the Tavistock Town Council building in Drake Road.

Secretary Susan Davies said different facets of the town's history are singled out for the annual special exhibition, sometimes as a result of research by the local history society, sometimes in connection with particular anniversaries or special collections.

Susan said: 'This year the special exhibition looks at the shops in the town. A great deal of information has been gathered on old advertisements and the lure and range of shopping in Tavistock over many decades past.'

Susan said visitors could listen to an audio tape and there was also a collection of bottles and jars relating to Tavistock businesses on display.

The special exhibition is in addition to the museum's permanent display of artifacts reflecting Tavistock's history since the founding of the Abbey.

This year there is also a new exhibit, based on properties in Devon once owned by Sir Francis Drake.

Tavistock Museum will open from 10am to 12 noon and 2pm until 4pm on Wednesdays and Fridays, 10am until 12 noon on Saturdays.