RESIDENTS that want to avoid the time and hassle of taking their Christmas tree to the tip this year can do so thanks to St Luke’s Hospice and its popular Christmas tree recycling scheme.

St Luke’s has been collected and chipping Christmas trees in return for a donation to the hospice for the last two years.

This year, the Winsford-based hospice has teamed up with charity JustHelping to offer the fundraising and time-saving service to all homes in the CW6 Tarporley, CW8 and CW9 Northwich postcode areas.

Jane Thompson, head of event management at St Luke’s, said: “Nobody enjoys the annual hassle of taking their Christmas tree to the tip so let us help.

“JustHelping’s Christmas tree removal scheme started in Macclesfield and last year raised over £60,000 for East Cheshire Hospice alone, from trees collected in 2012.

“If St Luke’s could benefit by even the smallest percentage of that it would be a terrific boost to our funds right at the beginning of the year.”

To have your tree collected in return for a donation to St Luke’s, visit charityxmastreecollection.com.

The minimum donation per tree is £4 and the team of volunteers will collect your tree on either Saturday, January 12, or Sunday, January 13.