HUNDREDS of residents visited an information roadshow held in Horrabridge this month, part of a project to investigate how past mining activity has affected the village.

The roadshow was staged by West Devon Borough Council and such was the interest shown by residents that the council is now to press ahead with a £190,000 grant application to allow further investigations to be made.

The roadshow, held at Horrabridge Parish Hall, explained to residents how the investigations would be taken forward and sought information from local people about mining activity in the village.

Nick Payne, West Devon's environment director, said he was pleased the roadshow had proved popular.

Mr Payne said: 'The roadshow certainly helped us identify issue sof concern from residents and we were given some useful information about past mining activity in the village.

'The response was very positive and confirmed that should apply for the English Partnerships grant, which we are now doing.'

Mr Payne said English Partnerships was a government body which manages stabilisation of hazardous, abandoned non-coal mine workings. The agency provides grants to help local authorities cover the cost of stabilisation including site investigations, surveys and monitoring work.

Horrabridge has experienced several incidents associated with mining activities carried out in the area during the 18th and 19th century.

In the last 18 months there was a collapse of old shafts in Pencreber Road and the discovery of an engine shaft in the Copperfields estate.

Following this, Horrabridge Parish Council and the Copperfields Residents' Association asked the borough council for help.

The council is working in partnership with Dartmoor National Park Authority, Annington Homes Ltd, Horrabridge Parish Council, the residents' association, West Devon Homes and the Environment Agency in the mining investigations project.

It has also held discussions with Devon County Council, Transco, South West Water and Western Power.