SWANLEY homeowners can recycle their Christmas trees for free throughout January.

Sevenoaks District Council says it will collect and recycle real Christmas trees as part of their routine garden waste collection service.

Trees with a trunk of up to 3.5 inches in diameter can be collected and will be turned into environmentally friendly compost.

Residents are asked to put their tree outside their property - where they would put refuse or recycling sacks - the night before the garden waste collection service is due in their road.

Sevenoaks District Council's member for the cleaner and greener environment Cllr Avril Hunter said: “We’re pleased to be offering this service throughout January for free to encourage residents to recycle their trees after they have enjoyed them over Christmas.”

Trees with a trunk bigger than 3.5 inches can be recycled at any of Kent County Council’s household waste recycling sites.