Welwyn Hatfield District Council says trees should be left in the car park on the old swimming pool side in the small area near the road. The area will be signposted.

The trees should be bare with all decorations removed. According to the council, the facility is for real Christmas trees only and no other waste, including garden waste, should be left.

The WHDC grounds maintenance team at Stanborough Park will then use a wood chipper to reduce the trees to compost and bark mulch. This recycled material will then be distributed on shrub beds and paths around the park improving the environment for visitors.

The 19 Household Waste and Recycling Centres across Hertfordshire are open all days except January 1.

For further information about how to reduce, reuse and recycle your household waste this Christmas and throughout next year contact the WasteAware help line on 08457-425000 or visit the WasteAware website.

The local waste disposal centres are at Potters Bar where the winter opening hours are Mon-Fri 08:00-16:00 and Sat-Sun 09:00-16:00, and Cole Green where the winter opening hours are Mon-Fri 11:00-16:30 and Sat-Sun 09:00-16:00.

Welwyn Hatfield District Council's recycling collections are as per the recycling diary card distributed to all homes and reproduced below.

Jan 13 - paper and green waste
Jan 27 - paper only
Feb 10 - paper and green waste
Feb 24 - paper only
Mar 10 - paper and green waste
Mar 24 - paper only
Apr 14 - paper and green waste
Apr 28 - paper only
May 12 - paper and green waste
May 31 - paper only

There are also plans to recycle millions of Christmas cards and packing this year.

The refuse collection dates for the holiday period have also been revised and are as follows...