Over 3000 Christmas trees, on sale around Darlington, have been tagged by members of the town’s Rotary Club promoting its New Year collection service in aid of a local hospice.

Croft Christmas Trees and Elm Ridge Nurseries allowed the club to label each tree suggesting purchasers recycle it in return for a small donation to St. Teresa’s Hospice.

Rotary club organiser David Hayward said: “We will collect trees from any home in the Darlington and Newton Aycliffe areas on Saturday 6th January and take them to a recycling centre.”

“This is a win-win venture, with the homeowner avoiding any mess in their car and a local hospice receiving much needed financial help.”

To register your tree for collection visit www.darlingtonhospice.org of phone the hospice on 01325 254321