Residents are reminded that Richmond's free Christmas tree recycling service will start on the first Monday of the New Year.

The Council will be offering a free tree collection service between January 6, and January 17, during its waste collection service on scheduled days.

Residents should remove all ornaments and stands or pots from their trees and leave them outside their property in a place that does not block the pavement, ideally next to recycling containers, on their collection day.

Trees will then be shredded and turned into compost, which will be used to feed plants in gardens, green spaces and bedding plots across the borough.

Residents are also reminded not to pile up Christmas trees at the end of the road, blocking footpaths because it will be deemed as a fly-tipping offence and could lead to enforcement action being taken if witnessed.

Richmond is also reminding residents - who live in high rise buildings, to take their Christmas trees to one of the drop-off points.

If this is not possible, the Council will collect trees if they are left in communal waste areas.

Alternatively, you can take your Christmas tree to:

• Household Waste and Recycling Centre, Townmead Road, Kew

• Barn Elms Sports Centre, SW13 0DG (opposite Barnes Rugby Centre)

• Squire's Garden Centre Car Park, Sixth Cross Road, TW2 5PA

• Old Deer Car Park, TW9 2RA

• Ham Street Car Park, TW10 7RS

• Nelson Road Car Park, TW2 7BB

• Hampton Library Car Park, TW12 2AB

• North Lane Car Park, Teddington, TW11 0HJ