FOREST of Dean residents wishing to recycle their real Christmas trees will be able to leave them out for collection between January 9 and 20, 2017.

The Christmas tree collection service - operated by the Forest of Dean District Council and waste contractor Biffa - is available to all residents, including those without a current garden waste licence.

Householders wishing to use the service should put their tree out at the kerbside on their scheduled garden waste collection day between the two dates. Garden waste collections take place on the alternate week to the refuse collection for most properties.

Small trees can be reduced and put in the green wheeled bin. Larger trees can be left at the kerbside. Residents are asked to carefully reduce their trees to sections no longer than 1.5m in length to assist with the collection. All lights, tree decorations, pots and stands must be removed in order for the tree to be collected.

Councillor Marrilyn Smart, district cabinet member for the environment, said: ‘With one in five homes now buying a real Christmas tree we want to make sure that as many as possible are composted and that is why we are pleased to be picking up real Christmas trees from homes across the district again this year.

"We know many residents value this service as Christmas trees can be particularly bulky and awkward to dispose of once needles start to drop."

"Residents who are unsure when their collection is due can either visit the waste pages of the Council’s website (www.fdean.gov.uk ), check their annual waste calendar or call the customer services team on 01594 810000 during office opening hours," she added.

Real Christmas trees can also be taken to the local household recycling centres at Broadwell, near Coleford and Hempsted, near Gloucester and placed in the garden waste container. Both sites are open every day from 9.00am to 6.15pm (except for Christmas Day and New Year’s Day).

Last entry is at 6.00pm.

Large trees need to be reduced to smaller lengths before visiting.

Residents are reminded that garden waste cannot be disposed of in their black refuse bins.