Christmas tree scheme raises thousands for hospice

Farleigh Hospice raised tens of thousands of pounds by collecting old Christmas trees

A hospice has raised more than £55,000 by collecting and recycling people's old Christmas trees.

Farleigh Hospice in Chelmsford offered to collect people's bulky real trees from around Essex, in return for a donation.

The trees were then shredded and sent to a biomass plant to be used for fuel.

Fundraising manager Debbie de Boltz said the money raised would be put towards people's care.

Ms Boltz said volunteers for the hospice collected about 3,000 trees, including one that was 24ft (7.3m) tall.

She said the money raised would make a huge difference.

"At Farleigh Hospice it costs us just over £21,000 a day to run, which we get nearly half from the NHS."

She added the hospice was "extremely proud" that the trees were recycled.

"We could not do it without the amazing volunteers who come and help us."