RECYCLED Christmas cards could make a big difference to the environment this year.

People are encouraged to drop in their unwanted Christmas cards at their local Marks and Spencer stores before January 31.

For every 1,000 cards recycled in store, the clothing chain will fund the planting of one tree with the Woodland Trust.

Last year 8.1million cards were dropped into M&S stores, which saw 8,135 trees planted.

Sarah Locker of the Woodland Trust said: “By dropping your cards off at M&S stores, you’re helping us to plant new woodland or, to think of it another way, grow new homes for hundreds of species, from dormice to woodpeckers, beetles to butterflies.”

Mike Barry, director of Plan A at M&S, said: “This brilliant scheme plays an important role in helping our customers live a more sustainable lifestyle, a key part of our eco and ethical programme. Small steps taken by individuals can have a huge impact and the M&S collection boxes make it easy for anyone to get involved in preserving our natural habitats, simply by dropping off their Christmas card at their local store.”