ALMOST 800 Christmas trees were taken by Poole residents to Upton Country Park for recycling between December 29 and January 6.

They were chipped by council staff and will be used for mulching in the flower beds around the country park. By recycling them on site, the costs and environmental impact of transporting them were significantly reduced.

Cllr Xena Dion, cabinet portfolio holder for the environment, Borough of Poole, thanked residents for their “tremendous response”.

She said: “All trees are being put to good use at Upton Country Park, reducing the carbon footprint of the council.

“Also, there is something very gratifying about seeing the trees reconstituted as mulch and still working for the natural environment.

“Any resident who still wishes to recycle their tree can do so by taking it to either the Nuffield Household Waste and Recycling Centre or one of our mobile recycling points.”