DEVIZES has its own newspaper and radio station, now it has its own TV channel.

Devizes Television, which is non-profit making, is available on the internet and despite no formal launch the owners say it has already built up a good following.

The venture came about when professional photographer Howard Maryon-Davis, who used to work in TV production, was talking with friends and they suggested starting a channel.

Now Mr Maryon-Davis, of Hare and Hounds Street, Devizes, who has a media company at Hopton Industrial Estate, and Bill Huntly, who has experience as a DJ, have set up Devizes Television.

Since the spring they have been filming in Devizes at several locations, including the Market Place and Devizes Wharf, and interviewing local personalities such as Devizes mayor Pete Smith and historian John Girvan.

One of the most most viewed films is the high wire walk undertaken by Chris Bull in the Market Place for the Devizes Carnival International Street Festival. The camera is on Mr Bull’s hat, giving a unique glimpse into the feat.

Mr Huntly, who also runs The Shambles indoor market in Devizes, likes to wear a snazzy waistcoat and cravat when he is presenting and interviewing.

Some of the films are not word perfect but Mr Maryon-Davis, who films and edits, said it was part of Devizes Television’s charm.

He said: “The first programme we made Bill winged it, we didn’t use a script. It’s off the cuff and we leave everything in.

“It’s rough around the edges but we like it like that. We are not the BBC.

“We are getting quite a few hits on the website, lots of people are watching it.”

Mr Huntly said: “The interviews and films are conversational, rather than the hard Jeremy Paxman-type grilling. People are enjoying it, the feedback we have had is positive.

“One man, who was local, said after watching our films there were lots of things he didn’t know about Devizes.”

The two men are financing the venture themselves.

Mr Huntly, of Rowde, said the channel was about providing information about Devizes to locals and people who had never visited before.

He said: “We are hoping it will be used as a promotional tool for Devizes. We hope to be talking to all manner of different people.”

To watch the TV station, visit www.devizestelevision.co.uk