MEMBERS of the Tidy Tavy group celebrated its third birthday with balloons, streamers and a chocolate birthday cake at Meadowlands earlier this month.

More than 20 volunteers and Tidy Tavy's mascot Womble, the litterpicking dog, met for their monthly litterpick and celebrated the occasion.

On display at the birthday party was the recent community award from Britain in Bloom in recognition for the sterling work done by the group to help keep Tavistock tidy of litter.

Thanks went to Tavistock Lions Club for its birthday present to the group of a £100 cheque. This donation was presented to Tidy Tavy by Lions president Steve Grummitt to help provide new and additional equipment.

Tidy Tavy organisers Steve Hipsey and Jeff Moody expressed thanks to the founding members Jane Miller and Pamela Steele, who set up the Tidy Tavy group with the help of Cllr Debo Sellis from West Devon Borough Council, and the South West Water Authority, back in October 2011.

Over the past three years, the hardworking team of volunteers has collected in excess of 1,200 bags of dropped litter in and around Tavistock.

The team would also like to thank WDBC for its continued support by collecting and disposing of the litterpick bags and the Times for publicising the group.

Jeff Moody said: 'We couldn't have continued over the past three years without the continuing support of our group volunteers. I take my hat off to them for their commitment.

'If we are to continue for the next three years we will need new volunteers to join our group.

'Tidy Tavy litterpicks are held on the first Saturday of each month and last from 10am to noon.

'We meet at the Meadowlands pool, which kindly provides volunteers with a complimentary tea or coffee.'

All new volunteers would be welcome, for more information call Jeff Moody on 01822 615522.