DEVIZES Development Partnership is currently interviewing candidates for the post of town centre manager, and says the successful applicant could be in post within a few weeks.

The management committee of the organisation of business people, councillors and voluntary groups heard on Monday evening that 16 inquiries were received after adverts appeared in the Gazette and Herald and Devizes News and 13 candidates submitted applications.

Nine first interviews have been held and the interviewing panel, including DDP chairman Peter Lay, town councillor Ray Parsons, district councillor Janet Giles and chamber of commerce chairman Jo Batchelor, are to see three of them again tomorrow as well as interviewing three candidates for the first time.

Mr Lay said: "We are very impressed with the quality of the applicants. The three we are seeing again on Friday are very strong and the new applications look very good on paper."

The appointment of a town centre manager, who will spearhead efforts to rejuvenate commercial and community life in the Devizes area, was the main recommendation in a retail revival strategy report from Bournemouth University published in June 2002.

Town traders have pledged £10,000 a year and the town district councils have agreed to put in £15,000 each to cover the £40,000 annual costs of employing a high profile candidate.