A NEW project to encourage people to a less busy part of Tavistock will come to fruition this weekend with an arts market in Bank Square.

The regeneration project, supported by Tavistock Chamber of Commerce, the town council, West Devon Borough Council and local businesses, aims to highlight the Bank Square area of town by transforming the car park into an arts market one Saturday a month until October.

Artists will be coming from Totnes to join local artists, including some from the Drawn to the Valley group, to show and sell their original arts and crafts.

Organiser of the market Tessa Clarke said: 'This project was first discussed back in a­utumn 2010. The West Devon arts officer Julia Vella sent an email round to artists to see if it was viable.

'Initial meetings and discussions were as far back as April and I took on the role of organiser then.

'The desire to work together and support local businesses of the town in this difficult economic climate, to encourage local artists to build links and to work together as one big team, has resulted in this arts market and is what has driven me.

'It has been a challenge encouraging people to take a risk and to try something new, so now we just need the public to come and see us taking the plunge.

'I am really looking forward to seeing the stalls go up and the culmination of everyone's hard work. Thanks for everyone's enthusiasm and support.'

To hold a stall in the market will cost £35 and it is open to all budding artists, designers and craftspeople.

The first market takes place this Saturday (July 16) from 9am to 3.30pm.

Further markets are planned for August 20, September 17 and October 15.