Ferroelectric tantalates with the tetragonal tungsten bronze (TTB) type structure were studied over a wide frequency range from 10(2) to 10(9) Hz. Complementary microwave measurements at 36 GHz and micro-Raman experiments were performed in order to extend the dielectric study. A high frequency relaxation was observed above 10(8) Hz and fitted to the Cole-Cole formula. Different qualitative models are proposed to explain the understanding of the origin of the high frequency relaxation in ferroelectrics. Among these, polar clusters of ferroelectric active off-centred Ta5+ ions are considered. (C) 2002 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.