PROFILE: Newton Abbot

The market town of Newton Abbot is nestled in the south west, with the sea side resort of Torbay only five miles away and the historic city of Exeter just 13 miles away.

Dartmoor, an area of natural beauty, with roaming hills and wildlife is only a short drive from the town.

While there are records of Stone Age and Iron Age activity and even a brush or two with the Romans, the first hint of the town emerged in Saxon times, and later with the arrival of the Normans.

It became a busy market town in the 13thcentury after the Abbots of Torre began building houses on the south bank of the River Lemon and over the centuries the area has embraced wool, cloth and leather production, engineering, fisheries and of course the railways.

Newton Abbot grew substantially with the introduction of the railway in the 19th century and now there are now more than 21,000 people living in the five wards in the town.

It is well known for it's weekly Farmers Market, which attracts visitors from around the district. The town centre, which boasts a stunning clock tower, is currently going through a phase of investment and redevelopment.

At present the town has a selection of well known stores, a variety of locally owned shops, established restaurants and pubs and well maintained parks.

Much of the town centre is now pedestrianised and it has many supermarkets both in the centre and on the outskirts, including a brand new Asda store, which opened last year.

Due to the railway station having a direct link to London, the north and the Midlands and the fact that the town is easily accessible to the M5 the town is ever growing.

Proposals are also underway to extend the town in the north and build many new homes, which could see the population rise by around 5,000 in the next 10 to 15 years.