TIDY Tavi volunteers celebrated Christmas a little early last Saturday before setting out on their December litter-picking session on December 2.

A total of 27 volunteers took part, including six children and two dogs. The group, dressed appropriately for the festive occasion, enjoyed mulled wine and mince pies before clearing a large volume of litter around Tavistock.

Although local authority staff had done a marvellous job removing large amounts of rubbish resulting from Friday’s Dickensian Evening in the town centre, the group found a considerable amount in peripheral areas. Organisers expressed thanks to all participants and wished them seasonal best wishes.

On a more disheartening note, evidence of fly-tipping around the town seems to be on the increase. Although usually relatively small in quantity, fly-tipped rubbish is often too much for Tidy Tavi teams to deal with.

In these cases, a report is made to West Devon Borough Council. Worryingly, a number of syringes were found and reported on Saturday.

Tidy Tavi’s first litter-picking expedition of the New Year will be on Saturday, January 6. Anyone wishing to participate can meet outside the Meadowlands Leisure Centre at 10am.