A DEVIZES clean up squad is celebrating its second birthday with a £1,000 present from the People’s Postcode Lottery.

CUDS set up by former teacher turned horticultural expert Zena Robson has set itself a target of making Devizes a more attractive place by picking up litter and planting bulbs.

Ms Robson is delighted to have got the grant which will be ploughed back into the group’s works. She said: “We are thrilled and very pleased to have been supported in this way so that we can continue our work.

“We also applied for and received grants from Devizes Area Board and Wiltshire Lodge of Fidelity, for which many thanks are due.

“CUDS is made up of volunteers who go out and about the streets of Devizes picking up litter. We have been operating for two years now and have lost count of the number of bags we have filled.”

Apart from litter-picking the squad has also transformed two roundabouts at Windsor Drive and Jump Farm Road. Ms Robson said: “We stripped off the turf, planting Tulips and Alliums and sowing wildflower seeds. We are on the lookout for more places where we could do that, so do let us know if you think there is somewhere suitable for our ministrations.”

The group meets at Hillworth Park on a number of Tuesdays and Saturdays each month. She said: “Depending on what we are doing that day, we arm ourselves with litter-pickers and bags or weed knives, secateurs, forks and spades. No CUD is expected to attend every meet-up as we all have lives to lead

“Our aim is to improve the look of Devizes for both residents and visitors alike, and to encourage residents to take an interest in their areas and the upkeep of them.

“Being a CUD is also a sociable and, strangely, fun thing to do. We enjoy our get-togethers and even our litter-picking.”

A group of CUDS will be in the Market Place, Devizes tomorrow (15) to take part in a Clean Up Wiltshire Roadshow from 11am to 1pm. The Wiltshire Council event aims to encourage people not to drop litter, to switch to reusable goods and to recycle. There will also be the chance to sign up for the Great British Spring Clean.

On Friday the roadshow will move to the Town Bridge in Chippenham from 11am to 1pm. To become involved with CUDS ring the town hall on 01380 722160.