RESIDENTS of Tavistock will no doubt be looking twice when they read the latest edition of the local Thomson telephone directory.

When they read the 2011/12 publication by Thomsonlocal.com they will find their town has been spelt 'Taverstock' - and to make matters worse it is right on the front cover. The unfortunate spelling error on the Plymouth, Kingsbridge, Saltash, Ivybridge and 'Taverstock' edition has been made on 150,000 copies of the directory.

Mark Cox, company spokesman for thomsonlocal.com told the Times: 'We would like to apologise for the spelling error on the 2011 edition of the thomsonlocal.com Plymouth directory and for any confusion that this may cause.

'We have taken steps to ensure that this does not happen again in the future. Local residents should rest assured that despite this error, they will be able to find all of the local businesses they need in the Tavistock area via the thomsonlocal.com directory, or via our website http://www.thomsonlocal.com">www.thomsonlocal.com.

Roger Howard, the town clerk of Tavistock Town Council, took it all in good spirit.

He said: 'I suppose you could say any publicity for the town is good for Tavistock. Obviously whoever spelt Tavistock as "Taverstock" must have picked the word up from someone with a wonderful, rich, Devonian moorland accent.'