recycling will be well and truly on the cards for Bromsgrove residents as twelfth night approaches.

Revellers throughout the district are being urged to do their bit for the environment when the Christmas decorations come down, as well as during the season, by recycling their greetings cards and used wrapping paper.

Keith James, Bromsgrove District Council's environmental strategy officer, is appealing to everyone to help and said: "Please join us in a bid to save the world's natural resources by recycling your cards and paper instead of just throwing them all away. A little effort from everyone would go a long way."

Christmas cards can be recycled at the Council's special sites at Stoke Prior Social Club, The White Swan, Packhorse Inn and Becketts Farm, Wythall, Stourbridge Road car park, Bromsgrove; Crown Inn and Marlbrook Pub, Catshill; The Swan Pub, Fairfield. The Talbot Inn and The Bell Inn, Belbroughton; Epic Bar Brasserie, Stoke Heath; and Wyevale Garden Centre, Burcot.

Wrapping paper can be recycled at any of the council's 20 paper banks sited throughout the district.

But, added Keith: "Please remember that the recycling banks fill up quickly after the Christmas festivities. If your local recycling bank is full please take your recyclables to an alternative recycling centre or take them home and recycle them next time.

"Any materials left outside the banks cause a hazard to other users and will be disposed of as litter rather then recycled."

Other ways people can help, as well as recycling their Christmas trees, are by composting uncooked vegetables and donating unwanted gifts to local charity shops.