FAMILIES are being urged to think green when it comes to getting rid of their Christmas trees.

For the first time, collection points have been set up in villages across the Hambleton district.

More than 30 will be in place until January 14, offering people the chance to get rid of trees in an environmentally responsible way.

For the past five years, the authority has collected trees and shredded them. However, many people found transporting trees to the sites a problem, as they ended up with a car full of needles, according to the chairman of the council's environmental health committee, Percy Featherstone.

He said: "By placing collection points around the district we hope more people will dispose of trees the green way."

Collection points have been set up at: Bedale, Carlton Husthwaite, Coxwold, Crathorne, Danby Wiske, Easingwold, Faceby, Great Ayton, Huby, Kirby Wiske, Kirkby Fleetham, Kirklington, Linton-on-Ouse, Morton-on-Swale, Newton-on-Ouse, Northallerton, Raskelf, Seamer, Sessay, Shipton, South Kilvington, Sowerby, Stillington, Stokesley, Sutton-on-the-Forest, Sutton-under-Whitestonecliffe, Swainby, Tholthorpe, Thornton-le-Beans, Thornton-le Moor and Well.