ST Richards Hospice is offering county residents the chance to help fund its work by taking part in its Christmas tree recycling scheme.

Over 350 local residents have already taken up the opportunity to leave the hassle out of their post-festive clear to the local charity and its teams of volunteers, who will be collecting trees around the county on January 13-15.

St Richard’s is asking people to make a donation for recycling the tree to support the independent charity’s free care and support for those living with a life-limiting illness.

Local businesses are backing the scheme and providing volunteers to collect the trees from people’s homes. The teams will be collecting trees from most of Worcester, Droitwich, Evesham and Malvern.

Jayne Sargeant, St Richard's Hospice community fundraiser, said: "Clearing away a real Christmas tree after the festive season can be a hassle, but this service will make life easier for people because the trees will be collected from their own homes and recycled for them.

"We want to thank the fantastic volunteers who are making this possible and supporting our care in this way. This is the first time St Richard’s will run the scheme which already runs successfully elsewhere in the country.”

To arrange recycling and to make a donation, visit charityxmastreecollection.com or call the fundraising team on 01905 763963 before 5pm on Tuesday, January 10.