TAVISTOCK Town Hall will be festooned with 2,000 colourful figures made out of plastic bags this September — part of a community arts project to celebrate the millennium.

The idea comes from Tavistock artist Maggie Squire, whose work has featured in national and international exhibitions.

The little figures will be strung together to decorate the town hall for two weeks as part of the STRAW project (Skills Training and Rural Arts Week) and to celebrate the Year of the Artist, which started on Tuesday.

Mrs Squire said: 'I would like it to be a really genuine, community project with all sorts of people taking part.

'Community projects can be very narrow banded and I really want anybody and everybody, of all ages, to have a go.'

Mrs Squire has already completed one plastic bag people project at a Plymouth infant school and she is confident even the youngest can make the twisted carrier bag figures.

'I see it as a river of colour across the town hall,' she said.

She said the STRAW project would be keen to use Tavistock in its promotional brochure, which will be distributed to tourist and visitor centres this summer.

'The 2000 millennium figures on Tavistock Town Hall could be a main feature in this brochure,' she said.

Mrs Squire was given permission to use the town hall by the town council's properties committee at its meeting on Tuesday.

Cllr Caroline Keane said: 'I think this is a very exciting project — these little figures are very attractive and rather fun.'

She stressed the exhibition was temporary and environmentally-friendly as it recycled waste materials.

'It would be light and bright and a matter of pride for the children involved,' she added.

Cllr Ted Sherrell said: 'I think it's an excellent idea, it's something a bit different. It certainly looks better than scaffolding, and would be a damn sight cheaper.

'The only small worry I have is people might think it's town councillors on a site meeting!'

Cllr Norma Woodcock said it was a 'great idea' provided the banner withstood the weather. She suggested moving it into the panner market afterwards, so people could see it for longer.

But Cllr Judith Williams wondered where the council would stand with English Heritage. 'This would be better either around the pannier market, or preferably inside, where it could be seen wet or dry, and last longer.'

Cllr John Wright was delighted by Mrs Squire's proposal.

'Whoopee!' he said. 'This is great, anything that brings light and life to the square ought to be welcomed.

'We are all aware of the dog in the manger tendency of some members of the council with regard to Bedford Square.

'If the Second Coming were announced for the square some members would have 47 reasons why it couldn't happen.'

Members agreed Mrs Squire could go ahead and should consult with council staff about mounting the banner.

Mrs Squire would like people to donate their old plastic bags to the project — they can be left at her studio in the Village Arcade next to Wren Pottery in Tavistock.

Any type of plastic bag can be used — for more information call Maggie Squire on 01822 613168.