THE FIRST Sunday opening of Tavistock Pannier Market took place last weekend and was declared a success by market reeve John Brady.

He said a total of 39 traders operated in the mixed market on Sunday.

Mr Brady said: 'I was pleased with the number of traders that turned up. The market looked good, and there were plenty of people around.

'Since Sunday, we have had several shopkeepers coming in who have said they are contemplating opening on Sunday, so I think we are on a roll. I think it's going to be very successful.'

Mr Brady said he had also received a number of positive comments about the new pannier market toilets, which were opened on Friday.

Town clerk Col Roger Howard told council members at Tuesday's meeting that all the market traders had been happy with takings for the day.

Opponents of Sunday trading were out in Tavistock on the day, to hold a demonstration in Bedford Square.

Around half a dozen people turned up with a banner declaring their opposition to Sunday trading, but they were outnumbered by visitors to the mixed market.

A church service was held in the square that morning, there was a monthly antiques fayre in the town hall and a photographic exhibition was also taking place in the Rundle Rooms.

However, overcrowding of Bedford Square, which had previously been a problem, did not materialise.

Earlier this year, a church service was held in the square attended by around 300 people while the antiques fayre in the town hall was taking place on the same day.

The town hall supervisor's report to the town council said those people wishing to visit the fayre had been too 'intimidated' or 'embarrassed' to 'fight their way through the crowds'. As a result, the hall remained very quiet until midday when the service finished.

The trial period of Sunday opening in the market will run up to and including Sunday, September 8, before returning for another run later in the year.

Trading hours are 10am to 4pm.