EVESHAM impressionist Alistair McGowan put on a new face to launch a new recycling scheme.

McGowan backed the 2002 Christmas Card Recycling Scheme on behalf of the Woodland Trust, the UK's leading woodland conservation charity, and its partners WH Smith and Tesco.

At the Royal Albert Hall, Alistair, famous for recycling personalities through his impressions such as David Beckham, Dot Cotton and Michael Parkinson, helped unveil the scheme which aims to encourage people to recycle, rather than throw away, their cards.

McGowan said: "Recycling cards is fun and easy. By simply taking cards to your nearest WHSmith of Tesco for recycling you can help improve the environment.

"The card recycling scheme reduces waste going to landfill and funds raised from the scheme will be given to the Woodland Trust to support the creation of much needed native woodland throughout the UK."

"Last year more than 863 tonnes of card was recycled, and for every tonne of card recycled 17 trees are saved. So think of it as the biggest Christmas present that you could give to nature."

Julian Purvis, deputy chief executive of the Woodland Trust, said: "We want to follow up the success of last year's scheme with something bigger and better.

"Thanks to WH Smith and Tesco we have the perfect medium by which to target a large number of people."