THE Tavistock Garden Fair could blossom into an annual event after the town council which organised the fair declared it to be a success.

The first three-day Tavistock Garden Fair was held in the pannier market, town hall and Bedford Square, this week.

Deputy town clerk Rosie Kehoe described the show as a 'garden-living event' which served as a 'commercial promotion for Tavistock'.

The garden fair ran from last Sunday to this Tuesday — the dates left vacant following the cancellation of the town's annual flower show in June.

'We decided to hold the event with two aims, firstly to highlight and launch the opening of the east end of the pannier market and secondly, to encourage people into the town centre.

'People seem to have really enjoyed it and we've had lots of positive comments,' said Mrs Kehoe.

She said holding the event in the middle of the tourist season had attracted new visitors to Tavistock and had ensured there was a 'buzz' in the centre of the town.

She said it had been a challenge to make all the arrangements for the event in the last month. Although this was the first Tavistock Garden Fair it might not be the last.

'We are looking forward to perhaps having some sort of garden fair in the future, maybe in a partnership involving others,' she said.

Stalls selling plants and other garden items in the pannier market took place in conjunction with normal markets on each of the

three days.

The town hall staged a static display of conservatory and outdoor furniture which people could use as a source of inspiration for their own gardens while they enjoyed refreshments.

There were a number of larger plant stalls in Bedford Square where entertainment was provided by a group of Morris Dancers on Sunday, the Pirate FM roadshow on Monday, and West Devon musicians on Tuesday.

Karen Wash, of Trecanna Nursery in Latchley, ran a plant stall in Bedford Square specialising in herbaceous perennials, bulbs and shrubs. She said business had been good, particularly on Monday when the sun shone, and there were a large number of people on the square.