AS people prepare to take down their Christmas decorations for another year, the Woodland Trust is urging everyone to do their bit for the environment.

The trust wants people to drop off Christmas cards at their local Marks and Spencer (M&S) store, as the retailer has vowed to fund the planting of a tree for every 1,000 cards recycled at their stores, including branches in Malvern Retail Park.

Thanks to people’s efforts last year, the UK is already 10,000 trees richer after 10 million cards were dropped into M&S stores. From now until Friday, January 31, special card collection bins can be found in stores.

Jo Mathieson, of the Woodland Trust, said: “It’s win, win.

“By recycling cards via the Marks & Spencer Recycling Scheme, you are playing a key part in turning unwanted waste into much needed trees.

“By dropping your cards off at M&S stores, you’re helping us to plant new woodlands 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, added: “This is a fantastic campaign which provides a really easy way for everyone to get involved in planting new woodland and preserving our important natural habitats.”