Maldon residents are being asked to sign up to recycle their Christmas trees this year to raise money for a local hospice.

In partnership with charity JustHelping, Farleigh Hospice will be collecting Christmas trees across mid Essex at the start of January - and the scheme is open to Maldon district residents.

Register before 12 noon on 4 January and donate online and the Farleigh team, who offer care and support to those affected by a life-limiting illness or bereavement, will collect your tree from your home.

Your tree won't go to waste as it will be shredded into chippings, which will be used mainly for biofuel but also for soft play areas and park pathways.

90 per cent of the money raised through donations will go directly to Farleigh, while the remaining 10 per cent will be donated to local charities through the Chelmsford Lions Club.

Here's a breakdown of how your donation may be used:

• £15.72 could go towards funding a Christmas dinner for a patient.
• £20.54 could be used to fund an hour of care in the inpatient unit, which is open over Christmas.
• £31.20 could go towards providing a bereavement support session over the festive period.
• £55.18 could go towards providing a home visit over Christmas by a member of the community team.