HOUSEHOLDERS in Southampton are being urged to go green this Yuletide by recycling their Christmas trees.

The city council is offering a solution to the annual quandary of what to do with redundant pines by offering to take them off residents' hands.

Members of the public are being asked to put the trees out with their wheelie bins for collection by the council from January 2 to January 12. The trees will then be chipped to provide mulch for park flowerbeds and woodland footpaths.

The move comes after Hampshire County Council appealed for residents to recycle all festive waste, such as wrapping paper and cards, at their household waste and recycling centres.

Space in 12 of Southampton's car parks will also be set aside for people to bring their trees for recycling. These sites will be in operation from January 3 to January 17.

They include: Homebase, Aukland Road, Coxford Community Centre, Olive Road, Sports Centre car park, Dunkirk Road, Riverside Park, Manor Farm Road, Veracity Changing Rooms, Merry Oak Road, Harefield Community Centre, Yeovil Chase, Mansel Park, Evenlode Road, Allders at Home, Winchester Road, Daisy Dip, Bluebell Road, Eastpoint Centre, Burgoyne Road, Mayfield Playing Fields, Weston Lane, and Recycling Area, Cannon Street. Trees can also be taken to the household waste recycling centres at Albert Road and Grange Road, Netley Abbey.

Any enquiries should be made to neighbourhood services on 023 8083 3420.