TAVISTOCK is looking better than ever thanks to an injection of money to 'tidy up' the town. With Tavistock striving for gold and entering the Britain in Bloom competition — judged earlier this month — and being a gateway to the World Heritage Site, Devon county councillor and local resident Debo Sellis decided something needed to be done to 'pretty up' the town and give it a new lease of life. She said: 'I saw the state of the lamp-posts and street signs, which were repetitive and damaged, grubby and untidy.' As central funding was not available, Cllr Sellis granted £4,800 out of her County Cllr Locality Budget to refurbish the town, along with funds from Scottish Southern Electric and Western Power, who contributed their Community Funding. Lamp-posts were painted, unnecessary signage was removed, weeds were cleared, zebra crossing poles were repainted, and litter was picked up in and around Tavistock. Cllr Sellis said: 'Tidy Tavy has built momentum, picking up the now reduced amounts of litter and pulling some weeds and cleaning road signs to add to their volunteer group activities. 'We realise that the funds are savagely reduced and no matter which political party is elected next year will be reduced further. 'To keep our town and villages cared for we are all doing our bit and it takes time and we have worked hard at making the town more attractive — I want to say how pleased I am that the town is improved.' Tavistock College and local schools, Transition Tavistock, Street Pastors, the Lions and BID, have all been taking care of the environment and getting involved in the campaign.