FITNESS bootcamps could be held in Tavistock's Meadows, following a request by a Plymouth-based company.

Members of Tavistock Town Council's properties committee last week heard that Ultra Fit UK Ltd, who specialise in fitness boot camps, personal training, corporate events and outdoor activities, wished to expand its operation to Tavistock.

Gareth Tichopad, managing director of the company, told members: 'All our fitness camps take place outside all through the year, running three sessions a week for up to a maximum of 25 clients per four week programme.

'After such a huge success in Plymouth, we have been asked by a number of clients if we would look to set up in Tavistock.

'This is already something my company was looking to do, as we are branching out across the UK.

'Having served in the military down here, I would be looking to employ service leavers as park managers/lead instructors to run these classes.'

Mr Tichopad told members the proposed timings of such Tavistock classes would be either between 9.30am and 10.30am or during the evenings, between 6.30pm and 9.30pm, three days a week.

Cllr Ted Sherrell said in principle he had no objections to the request, though he recommended the council set a fee for such commercial use of the Meadows.

Town mayor Cllr Philip Sanders said he did not see any 'major snags' with the idea, but he warned that the council would need to be aware of when the bootcamps were being held, so they did not clash with events being held in the Meadows.

Deputy town clerk Jan Smallacombe said: 'I did raise this and he has said they definitely will not impact on anyone else. They won't go near the children's play area — basically they will work around us.'

The committee agreed there would be no objection in principle to the proposals, and that the deputy clerk and works superintendent should liaise with Ultra Fit UK Ltd regarding a fee, before reporting back to councillors in due course.