TIDY Towns backers held their first proper litter pick in the town today, Friday.

Town Councillors Alex Hall and Mike Joyce are now calling on the people of Newton Abbot to come forward and help keep their town and neighbourhood litter free.

Local businesses Austins Store, Aaron Printers and your Mid-Devon Advertiser have sponsored the equipment to help their campaign.

Austins’ owner David Austin and Mid-Devon Advertiser editor Nick Knight went on patrol from St Leonard’s Clock Tower to try out the new kit that is available for any residents to borrow from the town council offices to help keep their local part of town free from litter.

In just a short while they managed to gather a few bags of litter from the nearby streets.

Cllr Hall pledged when he was first elected as the youngest town councillor that he intended to combat litter in the town.

Cllr Joyce said: ‘We can see the district and county councils have less and less funding to carry out work in our town so we are stepping up to look after our own town.

‘We need people to come out and help us show their pride in our fantastic town and help keep it litter free.

‘We are only trustees of the town and caring for it for future generations is vitally important,’ added Cllr Joyce.

‘We’re grateful to Austins, the Mid-Devon Advertiser and Aaron Printers for their backing.’

David Austin said: ‘We’re delighted to support this initiative as it’s extremely important to keep our town tidy. It is impressive what you have started today.’

Nick Knight said: ‘We at the Mid-Devon Advertiser are delighted to be able to support Cllrs Joyce and Hall in their war on litter.

‘Please lend them your support and get in touch with them so they can arrange sessions to keep our special town litter free.’

To volunteer to help keep your part of town tidy and have the equipment on loan or to take part in a litter pick, contact either Cllr Hall or Cllr Joyce at:

[email protected]