Looe's fish market hopes to enter the 21st century with an electronic auction, similar to Plymouth's which went on line on Monday, to make sure the port's high quality catch is at the forefront of modern technology .

Looe had in fact made enquiries about 'internet selling' before Plymouth's Barbican market, and is determined to keep pace with the latest advancements in fish sales.

A meeting was held on Monday between Looe Fish Selling representatives (auction house), Luke Schelfoot, from the Belgian company who installed Plymouth's new system, and members of the Harbour Commissioners' new Management and Market Development Committee, Robert Newton (harbour chairman), Peter Clemens (vice chairman), Mike Soady, Stuart Farman and Jim Rothwell.

Mr Newton said that dependant on the development scheme of the market, there was a possibility the Commissioners and auction house would combine and apply for grants towards the estimated £75,000 cost of the electronic system. 'If all goes well Looe fish could be on line by Easter' he said.

Mr Clemens said Looe is aware it must upgrade its facilities to remain competitive. 'The system will give greater flexibility and more access to buyers and a bigger expanding market' he said. 'We aim to maintain the reputation Looe has for day caught fish by making sure our high quality catch goes to the high quality market'.