It has not even happened but B&NES is handing out advice on how to get rid of your real tree when Christmas is over.

Residents in Midsomer Norton are being reminded of the options available to recycle their real Christmas trees once the twelve days of Christmas have passed.

The trees can be collected by Bath & North East Somerset Council when garden waste collections resume, taken to a recycling centre or collected by Dorothy House and all trees will eventually be converted into compost.

Dorothy House is running tree collections in BA1, BA2, BA3 and BS31 postcode areas with collections taking place between January 8 and January 10. The trees will be taken to the council's Pixash Lane site in Keynsham for compaction before being sent to another facility for conversion into compost.

Collections should be booked online at www.charityxmastreecollection.com before 12pm on January 7 in return for a small donation.

Real trees can also be collected by the council free of charge on garden waste collection days between January 18 and February 12, even if residents don't have a green bin. Trees should be cut up small enough to fit in the lorry and be free of decorations. Alternatively, they can be taken to a council recycling centre.

Councillor David Wood, joint cabinet member for Climate Emergency and Neighbourhood Services, said: "Christmas trees are completely recyclable so it's unfortunate that so many end up in landfill each year. If you have enjoyed a real tree this year as part of your Christmas celebrations, please dispose of it sustainably and please don't abandon it on the pavement. We're happy to collect them on garden waste days or you can bring them to one of our recycling centres. Alternatively, you may prefer to support an important local charity by booking a collection from Dorothy House."

There will be no recycling or rubbish collections on Christmas Day, Boxing Day, December 28 or New Year's Day. Garden waste collections have paused from December 7 to January 15 inclusive. Residents can check the website for full information the B&NES site

The council's recycling centres will close on Christmas Day, Boxing Day, December 27 and New Year's Day.