AN ?impressive 41 people volunteered their time to help Tidy Tavy organisers with their first litter-picking expedition of 2018.

Last month, organisers were delighted with the turnout and they hope the trend would continue throughout the year so that more areas of Tavistock could be visited and cleaned.

Tidy Tavy volunteer Steve Hipsey said: ‘As numbers grow, however, the availability of equipment and consumables has become a concern. This has been alleviated to some extent by donations from local businesses such as Tesco, who have supplied rubbish bags on an ongoing basis.

A new offer of support was also made last month by the proprietor of the new Hunger Box fast-food van, based in the Anderton layby, who has kindly agreed to supply complimentary hot drinks to Tidy Tavi volunteers working in that area.’

Mr Hipsey added that it was apparent that litter in many residential areas is being cleared periodically by concerned residents who care about their community.

‘These worthy efforts, along with the work done by Tidy Tavi volunteers and local authority staff are essential to maintain Tavistock’s reputation as the cleanest town around.

In order to encourage individuals or small groups of concerned citizens who may wish to clear rubbish in a particular part of Tavistock, Tidy Tavi organisers would be happy to lend equipment on a short-term basis.’

Anyone else who would like to help Tidy Tavy with donations of equipment, or if groups would like to borrow equipment on a short-term basis, contact Mr Hipsey at s.hipsey@btopenworld. com

• The next Tidy Tavy litter-picking expedition will begin outside the Meadowlands Leisure Centre at 10am this Saturday (February 3).