THE popularity of newly launched 'Tavistock by Twilight Walks' conducted by town guide and retired local policeman Simon Dell has taken everybody by surprise.

With groups of more than 50 regularly turning up for these popular Sunday evening walks it has shown that people of all ages from all walks of life are intrigued into the town's interesting and varied past.

The walks take Simon and his participants on an evening stroll around Tavistock and its back lanes and alleys, looking at the history of the market town, the legacy of the Abbey and the Dukes of Bedford and also listening to some of the darker stories of fact and fiction that Tavistock has to offer.

Simon said: 'I never envisaged the walks becoming so popular. Local historian and archaeologist Andrew Thompson and I started regular Friday walks last year and we enjoy modest numbers coming along on afternoon strolls, but this is beyond expectations.

'The greatest accolade comes from residents themselves who have lived in Tavistock all of their lives when they say "I never knew that".'

'Our glorious town on a Sunday evening is a fantastic place to go and explore.'

Simon has also been looking at other historical facts in the town such as the walk with the 30 bridges of Tavistock when the group actually identified 31.

Simon will be conducting his next Tavistock by Twilight Walk on Sunday, December 7 at 7pm — a week after the town's Christmas lights have been illuminated.