A new 'de-cluttered' market place for Wantage was outlined during the first open discussions on its future.

Town councillors sifted through plans drawn up by consultants commissioned to give the town a facelift.

But they decided that the drawings produced so far for discussion should be revised before going out to full public consultation.

Consultation is planned over a period of weeks before Christmas. There will be exhibitions and opportunities to question the experts on the proposed changes.

Jenny Hannaby, chairman of the town's environment committee which met on Monday to discuss the new look for the market place, said doing nothing was not an option. She said: "We do not want to lose the historic charm of Wantage but we do have to tackle its problems. The market place needs to be de-cluttered.

"For a long time people have complained the market place is drab, that it's congested. We are overwhelmed by congestion in the market place, it's tired, it's cluttered, we need better traffic management, at the moment it's a danger."

"We need to bring the market place into the 21st century to give it a boost and to ensure the future prosperity of Wantage. We want to enhance the market place using quality materials for street furniture, installing works of art and introducing plenty of greenery."

Some pedestrianisation is being suggested and slowing the speed of traffic to 'cycle pace' through the market place is also recommended as a way of ensuring people are safe and encouraging them to spend more time in the town centre.

It was also suggested buses be banned from stopping in the market place and are moved to nearby Newbury Street instead, an idea councillors agreed would ease congestion and still allow elderly people and mums with prams and young children to easily walk into the centre. It was also essential, councillors said, that the new multi-million pound retail development led by Sainsbury's in Limborough Road was linked to the 'Old Town' of Wantage to ensure people and traffic flow through to the market place.

Mrs Hannaby added that Wantage could learn lessons from other towns which have already redeveloped their centres. Towns such as Faringdon, Cirencester, and Henley, were suggested as models.

Julia Reynolds, the town mayor, said they did not want to modernise the market place but revitalise it in a way which would encourage new traders and more tourists. "I think this is very exciting. People say to me in passing, that it's dull and dated and needs sorting out.

"It's important the public should see the possibilities and ideas and I hope local talent will be used where ever possible."

The cost of a new look Wantage market place has still to be assessed and there has yet to be consultation with the Vale of White Horse District Council over planning issues. There have also to be talks with the police and other emergency services to ensure they would still be able to easily tackle any incidents in the market place.