A FREE recycling service is available to help residents dispose of their real Christmas trees.

From today, you can take your tree to Knights Grange in Winsford to be chipped.

The chipped trees will be re-used as mulch by Cheshire West and Chester Council street care teams.

Cllr Karen Shore, cabinet member for environment, said: “We’re pleased to be offering this service for free next week to encourage residents to recycle their trees after they have enjoyed them over Christmas.

“Please make sure there is no string or metal attached to your tree. Trained staff from the council’s street care services teams will then shred the trees into bark chippings which will be used on the authority’s parks and gardens.”