LIONS Club members from Derwent and Pocklington are feeling chipper following their latest venture.

On January 6 and 7, members and volunteers from the two branches - part of the worldwide community-focused organisation - took to the streets in an operation to collect and recycle waste Christmas trees.

The scheme invited members of the public, with a real Christmas tree to be disposed of, to sign up for a free collection - with the option to add a donation for local good causes, including St Leonard’s Hospice and Stamford Bridge community pool, if they wished.

Trees were disposed of in an environmentally-friendly way.

Collections took place in Stamford Bridge, Elvington and Pocklington and more than 400 trees were recycled.

Derwent Lions president Ken Sutcliffe said: “Thanks to our sponsors without whom the event could not operate, to our volunteers who braved the cold and especially our communities that supported the event.

“The weekend was great fun and we hope next year will be even bigger and better.”