RESIDENTS are being invited to recycle their Christmas trees and support St Richard’s Hospice.

The hospice has joined forces with JustHelping to send out volunteers around Worcester to collect trees in January.

Anyone using the service, which will run between Friday, January 13, to Sunday, January 15, will be asked to make a donation to the hospice.

Jayne Sargeant, hospice community fundraiser, said: "Lots of people love a real Christmas tree at home for the festive season but the hassle and mess of removing them can be a downside.

"This service will make life easier for people because the trees will be collected from their own homes and recycled for them.

"We want to thank the fantastic volunteers who are making this possible and supporting our care in this way. This is the first time St Richard’s will run the scheme which already works successfully elsewhere in the country."

Local businesses - Leigh Sinton Christmas Trees, the Droitwich Spa Marina and Gwilliams - are backing the scheme and providing volunteers to collect the trees from people’s homes.

The teams will be collecting trees from the postcode areas WR1, WR2, WR3, WR4, WR5, WR7, WR8, WR9, WR10, WR11, WR14, and the majority of Worcester, Droitwich, Evesham and Malvern.

To arrange recycling and to make a donation, register your tree at charityxmastreecollection.com