A RALLY of Capri cars on Tavistock?s Bedford Square last Sunday has sparked controversy over use of the area.

The rally, organised by Tamar Area Capri Owners? Club, meant the square was covered with more than 25 vehicles. The event overlapped with the jazz lunch being held in the town hall, part of the Tavistock Sings! Music Festival promoted by Tavistock Forward.

John Taylor, chairman of Tavistock Forward, this week asked the council: ?Why was the square full of 30 vehicles from 10.30am until 12.30pm, parked right across the entrance to the hall, when two months ago we asked for use of the square for Jaguar cars, who would have supported the festival?

?We were told neither us, nor the Lions, were allowed to have cars on the square.?

He thanked the council for free use of the town hall, but said with sponsorship from Jaguar, Tavistock Forward might have requested less support from the council.

Earlier this year, the town council, which issues permissions for use of Bedford Square, rescinded Tavistock Lions Club?s licence to hold a carnival car show in the square. Councillors said it was not an appropriate use of the square.

Steve Grummitt, spokesman for Tavistock Lions, said: ?We are surprised and disappointed in view of the fact we were told we could not hold our car show on the square, that the council had given permission for the Capris to be parked there.

?I think the council really needs to get their act together and play by the rules ? if we were not allowed and Tavistock Forward was not allowed, why were the Capri owners allowed to park there ? what?s the difference??

But the council denied it gave the Capri owners permission to park on the square. Town clerk Roger Howard said it was a ?long-standing booking? by the club and the owners knew they should not park on the paved area but should use the loading bays.

?They could have been booked ? I did ask and was assured by my staff they wouldn?t park on the square,? he said.

Town mayor Norma Woodcock said: ?I think it would be fair to say it wouldn?t have been our wish they were there. There does seem to have been either a non-compliance by the Capri club or it may be we were at fault.?

Guy Massey, who organised the Capri rally, was ?infuriated? at the situation and said it was made ?absolutely? clear the club could use the square.

He said: ?We told the council we had anything up to about 25 cars and we wanted to use Bedford Square. They said that?s fine, that?s what it?s there for, you?re a local club, it falls in line with the policy of the square.

?They rang us about a fortnight ago to confirm it was all go with West Devon, they?d cleared it with the traffic warden and the police ? if they?re now saying that?s not the case, somebody wants their ears boxed.?

Mr Massey said it was ?a load of nonsense? that the club had been told to use the loading bays.?

?If you book Bedford Square, you?re not booking the loading bays ? how on earth could you get 25 cars in them?? he said.

PC Larry Base, Tavistock?s community beat manager, said the town?s traffic warden knew of the square booking and ?agreed with the town council that it was in order? to park in front of the town hall.

The council has been inundated with complaints during the last few months, about people using the square as an unofficial car park.