THIS festive season residents of Tavistock and Okehampton can have their Christmas trees collected from the kerbside for recycling.

The collections will take place on Saturday January 10 and will cover all properties located within the 30mph speed limits of the towns.

All decorations and containers should be removed and the trees must be put out before 7.30am.

West Devon Borough Council has introduced the collection scheme as a trial in the two towns, although other schemes will be operating in other areas as mentioned below.

The town trees will be collected in refuse vehicles and will be composted and re-used locally.

Recycling officer Jane Savage said: 'Collection of Christmas trees from the kerbside is a first for West Devon, however, there will be a few narrow lanes where the ordinary refuse vehicles have difficulty accessing.

'It will be appreciated, therefore, if residents living on roads with limited access could leave the trees at the end of the lane at their usual refuse collection point.'

The special collection will only operate on January 10 and trees will not be collected with the ordinary refuse at other times.

The council will also have a collection point at Leg O' Mutton car park, Yelverton, and trees should be placed on the grass beside the recycling banks before January 10.

Other schemes operating locally include a collection by North Tawton Environmental Trust who will also collect from kerbsides within the 30mph speed limit of North Tawton. Trees here must be out by 10am on Sunday January 4.

Alternatively, trees can be taken, during opening hours, to the recycling centres located at Crowndale in Tavistock, and Exeter Road in Okehampton or to Proper Job at Crannafords Industrial Estate, Chagford.

For further information about any of the above services contact West Devon Borough Council on 01822 813656.