15400/1GAZETTE & HERALD: CORSHAM litter buster Eddy Lodge will have her hours extended so she can continue to keep the streets spick and span.

Mrs Lodge works 14 hours a week at present cleaning the town centre, but from April 1 she will be working full time.

People in the Corsham area have continually complained about the amount of litter on the streets.

Now £6,000 has been ploughed into a project to ensure the town is get free of litter.

Mrs Lodge, 53, of Newlands Road, Corsham, has been cleaning the town centre and town hall three times a week for more than two years.

Although North Wiltshire District Council provides a basic street cleaning service people are still concerned about the amount of litter.

Mrs Lodge will now work with the other street cleaners to keep the streets free of rubbish.

Coun Jock Fraser said: "We shouldn't really be spending £6,000. It could be spent on something else if only people just put their rubbish in bins."

The work Mrs Lodge already does in the town centre is considered to be vital in the fight against litter, but now her round is being extended to cover the three recreation areas at Springfield, Meriton and Dicketts more frequently.

The town will be divided into three areas and each will be cleaned once every three weeks. On the fourth week cleaning will be carried out in Gastard, Neston and Rudloe.

Mrs Lodge will spend around four hours a day in each area and certain places will be given special attention including roads near schools, shops, bus shelters and footpaths.

Additional bins are being purchased for the recreation areas and any overflowing litterbins in each area will be emptied unless the district council has a collection the following day in the area.

David Martin, parish council clerk said: "I'm very confident that she will do a first class job."

Mrs Lodge, who has lived in Corsham all her life said: "I'm looking forward to the new role, and to meeting people and helping the community.

"I like being out in the fresh air and making the town nice for visitors.

"I get a lot of good comments from the community.

"I just hope I carry on working to the best of my ability and do what is expected of me."