A CHARITY is appealing for people to donate their old Christmas cards as it launches its seasonal recycling campaign.

Volunteers from the Butterwick Hospice in Bishop Auckland launched their Christmas card collection appeal yesterday.

Bernard Harrison, from the hospice, said the charity relies on recycling for a large bulk of its fundraising, making an average £12,000 a year.

He said: "I have set a target for this year and I am hoping that we manage to raise £15,000 this year. This type of thing brings us a lot of money."

The hospice has recycling outlets in Frosterley, Spennymoor, Tudhoe, Bishop Auckland, Newton Aycliffe and Shildon.

As well as its Christmas card scheme, volunteers also collect aluminium cans and foil, cardboard, A4 white paper, mobile phones and inkjet cartridges, Yellow Pages, postage stamps and coins.

Foreman Recycling from Spennymoor delivered a recycling container to the hospice yesterday especially for the Christmas cards.

The container will remain in the car park at the hospice in Woodhouse Lane until February 17. Anyone wishing to drop off old copies of Yellow Pages can also leave them in another container which is situated in the car park. For details call (01388) 603003.