A BOLTON firm is collecting unwanted Christmas trees in the New Year to recycle them for charity.

Oakwood Tree Services, based in Westhoughton, will be asking people for a recommended donation of £10, with 100 per cent of all donations going towards the Bolton Mountain Rescue Team.

The recycling, which will ensure the trees are put to use once their festive lifespan has expired, will see qualified tree surgeons use a wood chipper to grind the tree down.

Judith Barnett, who works at the company, said: “We receive the majority of our work from Bolton and the surrounding areas, so it's great to be able to give something back to our community.

“Using our facilities we can recycle the trees collected. The wood chip will go to biomass to produce electricity, saving people the problem of filling their green bins or worse still, abandoning the trees in a corner of their garden.”

The scheme is not something the company has done before, although Judith is sure “it will become an annual event.”

She added that the charity was chosen as the voluntary team relies on donations to enable them to run their service effectively.

The Bolton Mountain Rescue Team provides a search and rescue service for the West Pennine Moors.

Judith added: “I think it is important to donate in order to support a worthy cause that each and every one of us can call upon 24 hours a day, should the worst ever happen.

“These volunteers will ensure your safety and wellbeing is their priority, whatever the weather or remote location.”

The collection will begin in the first two weeks of January and must be within four miles of Westhoughton. All decorations must be removed to ensure that the tree can be recycled properly.

Judith said that the company "never imagined such a huge response" to the idea, with dozens of people liking and commenting on their Facebook posts, along with over 100 shares on one of them.

One Facebook user said that the scheme was "such a brilliant solution", while another said that it was a "great idea and a good cause."

Anyone who would like to recycle their tree or donate money should contact the company to arrange bookings and preferred collection days, as they are planning their route.

This can be done via their Facebook page at 'Oakwood Tree Services Bolton' or by phone on 07873 721712 or 01942 812115.