RESIDENTS in Bromsgrove are being urged to 'make the mulch' of Christmas by recycling their festive trees after the holiday.

Yuletide revellers are being asked to spare a thought for the world's natural resources and put their party pines to further use by taking them to one of the district's recycling centres.

The trees will be collected from the various venues and shredded to produce mulch for spreading on flowerbeds throughout the area.

Councillor John Tidmarsh, (Con Stoke Prior) cabinet member responsible for environmental health, said: "Last year's appeal was a tree-mendous success and we are very grateful to everyone who joined our campaign.

"There were 6,290 Christmas trees collected after the holiday, 11.3 tonnes of mulch, a 50 per cent increase on the previous year," added Cllr Tidmarsh.

"We were delighted that so many people took advantage of the facilities we provided and hope even more will join our green-keen crusade this festive period.

"The mulch is used for spreading on local flowerbeds to bring added colour to the district later in the New Year."

Christmas tree recycling sites will be set up between January 2-12, at Beckett's Farm, Wythall; Recreation Road South car park, Bromsgrve; Beechcroft Nurseries, Belbroughton; Hurrans Garden Centre, West Hagley; Kingfisher Nurseries, Catshill; Littleheath Aquatic and Garden Centre, Lickey End; and New Road car park, Rubery.

Also at Safeway, Aston Fields; Tanyard Lane car park, Alvechurch; Webbs of Wychbold; Worcester Road car park, Hagley; Wyevale Country Gardens, Burcot; and also at Lickey Hills Visitor Centre, Cofton Hackett, which is open throughout the whole of January.

Keith James, Bromsgrove District Council's Environmental Strategy Officer, added his voice to the appeal and said: "We are asking everyone to please branch out and help us to help the environment."