Christmas revellers throughout the borough are being urged to stop for a moment and think about the environment.

Around three million tonnes of rubbish was generated last year across the UK during the week from Christmas Day to the New Year, with 83 sq km of wrapping paper and 30 per cent more glass bottles, aluminium and steel drink cans than usual getting dumped in rubbish bins.

Mr Keith Holland, environment officer at Bury Council, said: "On average, a third more rubbish is created over the Christmas period than at any other time of year. So much of this waste can be re-used and recycled, so we are appealing to residents to follow our easy tips and get recycling. With the community's help, we can reduce the mountain of waste that went into landfill tips last year."

The council, with its partners UPM Shotton, offer the following tips:

Put Christmas catalogues, flyers and brochures into your recycling bag.

Take your Christmas cards to Tesco or WHSmith for recycling.

Cut up Christmas cards and use them next year as gift tags.

Save glass by buying a large bottle rather than several small ones, and take them to the bottle bank after use.

Re-use plastic shopping bags.

Buy loose, rather than packaged, fruit and vegetables.

Buy a home composter.

Take unwanted socks or jumpers to your local charity shop.

Take your Christmas tree for recycling: call the council on 253 5353 for details.