ENVIRONMENTAL chiefs in Rossendale are urging residents to go green and "do their bit" for the environment in the New Year.

Every household in Lancashire produces around one tonne of rubbish every year -- the equivalent of every home throwing away 2,410 cans of beans.

Now council bosses want locals to recycle their Christmas trees and festive green waste such as wreaths, garlands and mistletoe.

Every year around five million Christmas trees are bought, most of which are thrown out, creating about 9,000 tonnes of additional waste.

In a bid to cut the amount of waste Rossendale Council's environmental services will be recycling tress and greenery at Stubbylee Park's greenhouse area and Whittaker Park to turn it into valuable mulch or compost.

Councillor Judith Driver, executive member for Street Scene & Liveability, said: "Most people love a real tree at Christmas, but deciding what to do with it once Twelfth Night has gone can prove to be a real headache.

"We are urging residents to give something back to the environment this Christmas and make a real difference by bringing your tree and other festive waste to one of the local parks where festive waste will be recycled."

Council staff will collect trees from homes throughout the borough from Monday, January 9 until Thursday, January 19.

The rota will be: Bacup & Whitworth; Monday, January 9 and 16; Rawtenstall & Haslingden; Tuesday, January 10 and 17; Bacup & Whitworth; Wednesday, January 11 and 18 and Rawtenstall & Haslingden; Thursday, January 12 and 19.

The Environmental Services department will be accepting trees at the collection points from Wednesday, January 4 through to Friday, January 27 from 9am - 3.30pm Monday to Thursday and 9am-11.30am Friday.

To arrange collection ring 01706 878660 in advance or for further information visit Rossendale Council's web site: www.rossendale.gov.uk