A SPECIAL machine to squash waste into wheelie bins in Tavistock Pannier Market is to be leased by the town council.

The decision to acquire the Pakawaste compactor came as a result of a West Devon Borough Council change of waste disposal contractor from Biffa to Focsa.

Town clerk Roger Howard told town councillors at their meeting last week that Focsa could not undertake the level of waste disposal required after a Friday market.

The cost of using town council staff and leasing the compactor would be covered by the saving from the Biffa contract, said Col Howard.

The wheelie bins and compactor will be housed in the old slate store in the pannier market.

'Using the slate store for storage makes the area look much more attractive — the whole area will be improved visually,' said Cllr Ken Sanders, chairman of the properties committee.