DORSET residents are being encouraged to dispose of their Christmas tree a little differently this year and help raise money for charity at the same time.

Mental health charity Dorset Mind has announced the return of its Christmas tree recycling scheme in the Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole areas.

Residents can have their tree picked up from outside their property by a specialist team who will then recycle the tree responsibly to avoid sending them to landfill sites.

The service costs £15, with money going towards Dorset Mind to help them support as many people as possible who are struggling with their mental health.

“This amount could help someone you might know by funding a vital 1-2-1 mentoring session that helps them with their mental health,” a Dorset Mind spokesperson said.

“Our team of mentors set people small achievable goals that builds their confidence and self-esteem and gives them tools to help them cope with severe loneliness, anxiety, stress or depression.

“These sessions are transformative!”

Trees this year will be collected by Maidmans and volunteers from PKF Francis Clark before being recycled by JSR Tree Care.

The collection will take place from January 6 to January 8 and is available for postcodes BH1 to BH23.

A special drop-off point can be found at Tower Park in Poole from January 6 to January 8 between 10am to 4pm.

Trees can only be collected if they are real and if the tree is left out before 8am in a safe, visible and easily accessible location.

There is a max of two trees per household.

Bookings must be made before January 1.

To book your collection, visit Dorset Mind.