Residents across Maldon are being encouraged to sign up to recycle their Christmas trees this year to raise money for a local hospice, with registration now open.

Working with charity JustHelping, Farleigh Hospice will be collecting Christmas trees across mid Essex at the start of next month - and the scheme is open to Maldon residents.

Register before 12 noon on 4 January and donate online and the team at Farleigh, who provide care and support for those affected by a life-limiting illness or bereavement, will collect your tree from your home.

90 per cent of the money raised will go directly to Farleigh, while the remaining 10 per cent will be donated to local charities via the Chelmsford Lions Club.

Your tree will be shredded into chippings, which will be used mainly for biofuel but also for soft play areas and park pathways.

How your donation to Farleigh Hospice may be used:

• £15.72 could go towards funding a Christmas dinner for a patient.
• £20.54 goes towards funding an hour of care in the inpatient unit, which is open over Christmas.
• £31.20 could go towards providing a bereavement support session over the festive period.
• £55.18 could go towards providing a home visit over Christmas by a member of the community team.