LITTER pickers were very busy again last weekend around West Devon.

Twelve Tidy Tavi volunteers set out on Saturday to spruce up the streets of Tavistock, while in another venture, 16 local residents cleared mountains of litter from the Yelverton area.

Tidy Tavi was pleased to support this new enterprise by giving advice and lending equipment such as litter pickers and high visibility jackets.

Michelle Beevers, volunteer of the Yelverton group, said: 'This has been a superb effort from the number of volunteers who helped and the amount we collected.

'I would like to thank everyone who helped make Yelverton a better place. I would also like to thank those people who couldn't make the actual litter pick but still went out and cleaned their local area — that is just the sort of community spirit we had hoped for.'

A spokesman for Tidy Tavi said: 'The area around Yelverton roundabout and Harrowbeer airfield has been a litter blackspot since anyone can remember, so the volunteers' efforts have made a genuine and extremely visible difference.

'Many more expeditions such as this will be required in order to get on top of the litter problem in the Yelverton area, especially along the main roads.

\It is hoped to be able to arrange monthly forays similar to those undertaken by Tidy Tavi for the last three and a half years.

'Many visitors to Tavistock comment favourably on the state of the town and are impressed by the work of volunteers assisting council workers to maintain clean streets and public areas.'

Tidy Tavi's experiment with a midweek litter picking foray last month was a moderate success, but more volunteers are required to make it worthwhile in the long term.

There will be another opportunity to come and help on Wednesday, April 22. If you would like to support this worthy enterprise, please meet at the Meadowlands Leisure Centre at 4pm.

It is advisable to wear stout footwear and bring gloves with you.

Everything else will be provided, including complimentary tea or coffee.