THE first ever Tidy Tavy litter pick day took place recently with 30 community spirited individuals donning gloves and bin bags to tackle the problems from the Meadows to Crowndale.

Organisers were impressed by the large turnout of volunteers who in just over a hour filled a bag each of litter. They were assisted by representatives from South West Highways, West Devon Borough Council and refuse and recycling contractors FOCSA. Even Tony Boylin, Tavistock's only street cleaner came along on his day off.

With strong leadership by Tidy Tavy group members Pamela Steele and Jane Miller, teams of litter pickers followed a route from the underpass in the Meadows, around the school grounds and across the football fields.

Town councillor Lynne Rose said: 'Generally I would say that Tavistock is a clean town and one in which its residents obviously take pride compared with other areas of the country.

'There are obviously a few hotspots, it is a large area for one man to keep clean. But again I am very impressed by the large turnout of volunteers.'

It is hoped the day was the first of many and the Tidy Tavy group wants to hear from people in the community about problem areas and what they feel could be done to help, whether it is litter picks or bins being emptied more frequently.

The Tidy Tavy Campaign started earlier in the year when Devon county councillors, highways officers and members of the community met to see how they could enhance the good work of the Tavistock street cleaner and South West Highways. Litter picking and hedge clearing was seen as priorities.

A way of obtaining public liability insurance and cutting through red tape was found without all the volunteers having to endure half a day in the classroom for health and safety training.

A new change in attitude was established with a 'can do, will do' drive from all departments.

Devon county councillor for Tavistock Debo Sellis said: 'I was not going to agree to anything which would make volunteers feel they were being bossed or that they couldn't use their own common sense.'

The county council cut back and trimmed the hedges along the canal in preparation for the first Tidy Tavy and posters were placed around the town advertising the event.

If anyone wants to join in the campaign or has any ideas visit the website: http://www.tidytavy.co.uk">www.tidytavy.co.uk or email: [email protected]">[email protected]