HOUSEHOLDERS are being encouraged to do their bit for the environment as the festive season fades away.

Councils have set up recycling arrangements for trees, cards and wrapping to ensure there is a green end to Christmas.

Cards should not be placed in kerbside recycling bins in the Durham City, Chester-le-Street and Easington districts as national chains Tesco and WH Smiths have come to an arrangement with the Woodland Trust to provide in-store bins to collect cards throughout this month.

Trevor Howe, manager of the Tesco store in Durham City, said: "Our customers tell us they're keen to recycle more.

"But they want the experience to be convenient, quick and easy, and that's why the partnership is so successful."

In Derwentside, cards can be recycled through the roadside Green Box collection scheme. Cards should be left in a carrier bag, although operators request no glitter or glue.

In Durham City and Derwentside, Christmas trees can be taken to household recycling centres, which are open from 8.30am to 3.30pm.

Derwentside residents can use the centres at Morrison Busty Industrial Estate, near Annfield Plain, Stony Heap, at Leadgate, or Butsfield, off the A68. Durham City residents can use the centres at Coxhoe Quarry or Potterhouse Lane, Pity Me.

In Easington, residents are asked to leave their trees outside with their bin before 9am on the following days: Monday, for Seaham, Murton, Hawthorn, South Hetton, Haswell, Haswell Plough, Easington and Peterlee; next Tuesday, for Hordern, Blackhall, Hesledon, Castle Eden, Hutton Henry, Wingate, Station Town, Trimdon Station, Thornley, Wheatley Hill, Shotton and Sheraton.

Chester-le-Street residents are asked to take trees to collection points around the district over the next few days.

On Thursday, collections will be made from Pelton Community Centre, from 9am to 11.30am, and from St Benet's Way, Ouston, from 1pm to 3.30pm; on Friday there will be collections at Sacriston Community Centre, from 9am to 11.30am, and from the car park of The Falcon, South Pelaw, from 1pm to 3.30pm.

On Saturday there will be a drop-off point at Riverside North car park, from 9am to 11.30am, and Hermitage Comprehensive School, from 1pm to 3.30pm; and on Monday, from the car park of the Dun Cow, Bournmoor, from 9am to 11.30am, and from Lumley Millennium Green, from 1pm to 3.30pm.