ONCE the needles have dropped and the tinsel is back in the attic, residents are once again being urged to recycle their real Christmas trees.

Epping Forest District Council will pick up families' festive firs, along with any other garden and food waste, after this year's celebrations draw to a close.

Trees should be removed from their pots or stands, all decorations and tinsel should be removed and all sprayed or artificial snow shaken off.

Any trees standing more than six foot should be sawed in half and placed by residents' food or garden bin on collection day.

The council will be running a revised waste and recycling collection schedule over Christmas and the New Year. To find out when your waste will be picked up, click here.