SATURDAY was yet another fine and sunny day for the Tidy Tavi teams, as 20 volunteers, young and old, gave up two hours of their morning to collect litter around Tavistock.

The overall impression was that with only minor exceptions, almost all the streets were already fairly clean and tidy. Particular black spots however, were accumulations of cigarette ends in the usual places and a real mess in the car park behind the post office.

A spokesperson for Tidy Tavi said: 'Many of the volunteers commented on the fact that a lot of Tavistock townsfolk now seem to be making a real effort to avoid littering and are even clearing areas near their homes and businesses.

'It is also evident that the West Devon Borough Council operatives are doing a fine job keeping the town spick and span on a daily basis.'

The spokesman said 30 bags of rubbish were collected on Saturday morning. Much of it appeared to have been thrown from vehicles on the main roads through town rather than being dropped by pedestrians.

'A remarkable proportion of this mess seems to bear the McDonald's logo, originating presumably from the Plymouth drive-through outlet 13 miles away!

'Special praise must go to the management of the William Hill betting shop in Market Street, who have procured a stock of "Stubbi" portable ashtrays. These are available free to customers and others and allow smokers to stub out their cigarettes and dispose the ends without dropping them in the street.

'This sort of initiative is making a real and important difference in the battle to keep our streets litter free,' said the spokesman.

Tidy Tavi's next foray will be on Saturday, July 6 at 9.30am.

All welcome, all you need is a pair of gloves, other equipment is supplied.

The group is also considering an outing to one of the moorland car parks such as Cadover Bridge one weekend, to conduct clean-up followed perhaps by a picnic.