THE annual Christmas tree collection service has raised more than £27,000 for St Luke's Hospice.

A staggering 2,652 real trees were collected and recycled in three days raising more than £27,000 in donations for the Hospice.

Jane Thompson, head of event management at St Luke’s, said: “Every year the community’s generosity is overwhelming. This is the seventh year we have held this collection and each year the number of trees registered and the amount donated continues to rise.

“We are delighted to have received more than £27,000 in donations which provides a wonderful New Year boost for our hospice.

“This wouldn’t be possible without the fantastic support of our volunteers who have worked tirelessly over the weekend to collect and recycle the trees.

"We couldn’t do it without them. Huge thanks to everyone who has supported this initiative.”

St Luke’s runs the Christmas tree collection in conjunction with Just Helping. This year’s event was sponsored by Redrow Homes.

The hospice also works with a large team of corporate volunteers from SP Energy, Melody Corporation Marquees and Ansa, the delivery waste and recycling service for East Cheshire Council.

Hospice helpers also team up with volunteers from Northwich Round Table, Middlewich Round Table, the Rotary Club of Sandbach Crosses, the Rotary Club of Tarporley.

They are supported by the loan of vans from Event Equipment Ltd, Melody Corporation Marquees and Roof Plus Ltd.

The trees are responsibly chipped with the help of Reaseheath College, Ansa, Girl Guiding Cheshire Forest Pettypool, Wright Marshall at Beeston Market.

A farmer in Brereton kindly allows the hospice to stack trees on his land until they are chipped.

A number of small local charities will also benefit from the Christmas tree collection service.