RESIDENTS in Worcestershire are being urged to recycle their Christmas trees this New Year.

Real Christmas trees can be recycled at Household Recycling Centres across Worcestershire.

The call comes from Worcestershire County Council as an estimated six million trees are bought each year in the UK, most of which are thrown away.

Residents can use any of the Household Recycling Centres across the county which are free for residents of Worcestershire to use and accept a wide variety of household materials for recycling, as well as green waste like old Christmas trees.

Councillor Tony Miller, Cabinet Member for the Environment at Worcestershire County Council, said; "Household Recycling Centres are a great way to help the post-Christmas clear up. Taking a trip to a local recycling centre can make sure the things you don't need any more can go where they'll be of use either by being recycled or gain a new lease of life benefitting both local communities and the environment."

In addition to green waste, paper and card packaging, residents can take along any extra plastic containers and cans that cannot fit in a recycling bin. There is a whole host of items residents can take, such as unwanted electrical equipment, clothing, bric-a-brac and bikes that can be reused by local charities to raise vital funds.

There are also a range of charities and organisations collecting Christmas trees.

A team will be out collecting trees from in B60 or B61 postcode areas on January 8 to raise funds for the Birmingham Children's Hospital. To register and make a donation, visit: https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/recycleyourtree.

St Richard’s Hospice also offer a collection service for people in WR postcodes in return for a donation. For more information visit: www.strichards.org.uk.

To find out the location of your nearest recycling centre visit: www.letswasteless.com.