SUE Ryder – which runs Manorlands hospice at Oxenhope – is once again staging its Christmas tree recycling scheme.

People planning to have a real tree this festive season can register now for the venture.

Once the festive period is over, householders' trees are collected from their front door, garden or driveway, in exchange for a donation.

All proceeds go to the charity, and the trees are turned into compost or wood chippings for use in parks, gardens and landscaping projects.

The 'Christmas Treecycling' initiative is open to people in the postcode areas BD13-18, BD20-24, LS29 and HX2, 3 and 7.

Support for the scheme is provided by Skipton Self Drive and Keighley Tree Services.

Andrew Wood, community fundraising manager at Manorlands, says: "The tradition of choosing and decorating the perfect Christmas tree is one that many people cherish, but we don't always know what to do with our real trees once the lights are down and decorations boxed up.

"This is where our Treecycling scheme can help and we’re hoping that even more local residents opt to utilise the service this festive season.

"The trees will either be chipped and used to create renewable energy fuel for biomass burners, disposed of via a recycling centre or used for habitat restoration to support nature.

"Any donations given will help Sue Ryder to continue to be there when it matters – at a time where charities everywhere, including Sue Ryder, are relying on donations more than ever."

Rachael Cleary, senior sustainability officer at Sue Ryder, says research has shown that people are more likely to use a charity scheme to recycle their real Christmas trees in Yorkshire than in any other UK region.

She adds: "It’s brilliant to see this new data highlighting Yorkshire as a ‘hotspot’ for using charity tree recycling schemes.

"Recycling your Christmas tree, as well as choosing sustainable ways to decorate your real firs, are simple and effective means of reducing your carbon footprint and giving back to nature. So give a little extra ‘green’ gift this Christmas while supporting a fantastic cause!"

For more about the scheme and to book a collection, visit sueryder.org/dalestreecycling

The deadline is noon on January 5, but people are advised that bookings may close early depending on demand.

Collection will take place between January 6 and 15.

Anyone with queries can contact the Manorlands fundraising team on 01535 640430 or manorlands.fundraising@sueryder.org