A 65ft tall, naked pregnant woman with a sword could be what Dartmouth needs to give the town a visitor boost.

The controversial Damien Hirst sculpture called Verity has already seen Ilfracombe's visitor number double since it was put in place on the town's seafront earlier this year.

The bronze work of art – which has been pilloried and praised in almost equal measure since it was unveiled last month – was highlighted at a think-tank meeting held in Totnes.

It was cited as an example of how local High Steets can be revitalised with innovative ways of increasing footfall and stimulating trade.

More than 65 local 'movers and shakers' had been invited to the evening presentations at South Hams Council's Follaton House headquarters to look at ways of revitalising their local shopping and business centres. During the evening, Matt Day, co-ordinator for Somerset Towns Forum, gave a presentation on what strategies have worked in towns such as Ilminster, Frome, Melton and Crewkerne to increase footfall.

Ron Ley, of Ilfracombe Town Council, presented the long-term vision which Ilfracombe has adopted to transform the fortunes and branding of the town, including the stimulus from those wishing to see Verity for themselves.

He congratulated South Hams Council for hosting the event. He said: 'It appears to have achieved much in engaging with key members of the community. It has been a privilege to have taken part.'

The latest round of renewed business and community focus follows the Portas Review, an independent review of the future of high streets commissioned by Prime Minister David Cameron and carried out by shopping expert and television-star Mary Portas.

Dartmouth has just been handed a £10,000 grant from the Portas pot of Government cash.

South Hams councillor Simon Wright headed up the drive to engage with local businesses, residents and those with ideas about how to restore the 'bustle' to the high street. He had headed a task and finish group on car parking in the district and this drive followed on from that investigative work.

He said: 'The guest speakers were really engaging.

'They showed what can be done if someone has the ambition to do something for their town. You have to have the ambition to make it happen. As we saw with Ilfracombe it is pregnant with possibilities.'

He said communities needed to offer something that made them unique.

'It was a big success. One thing that did emerge was that Kingsbridge farmers' market wanted to hold a market in South Brent,' he added. 'This may be a way in which footfall can be increased in South Brent.'

Dartmouth district councillor Hilary Bastone, said: 'The event was very well attended and a great deal of enthusiasm has been generated by the presentations.'