THE presents have been unwrapped and the turkey is just a distant memory but there is still one reminder of the festivities to be dealt with - the tree.

The ideal place to take it for recycling is to one of Hampshire's 24 household waste recycling centres (HWRCs), including the Andover centre in Shepherds Spring Lane.

They are open from 8am to 4.30pm throughout the holiday season with the exception of 1 January. The trees will be composted with all other green waste to produce Pro-Grow, a rich soil conditioner to help keep gardens thriving throughout the summer months.

HWRCs are also the perfect place to recycle many of the other festive season leftovers, including wrapping paper, gift boxes, cards and drinks bottles.

Chairman of Hampshire County Council's business panel, Cllr Alex Varden, said:

"Our HWRCs are extremely well used facilities which will be open as normal in the days between Christmas and New Year and from 2 January.

"Our HWRCs play a significant role in helping Hampshire have one of the highest recycling rates in the country and in achieving Beacon Council status for sustainable management of waste.

"Currently, Hamp-shire's HWRCs recycle an average of more than 50 per cent, with some sites regularly achieving 70 per cent."

Other items which can be recycled or re-used at most sites include newspapers and cardboard, green garden waste, glass bottles and jars, bric-a-brac, textiles, books, metal items, engine oil, plastic bottles and refrigerators.