CHRISTMAS can once again be greener for York and North Yorkshire residents.

Tree recycling points have been set up to enable people to recycle their trees and wrapping paper from the festive season.

The green scheme is in its fifth year of shredding discarded trees to be composted by farmers.

In Ryedale, environmental and recycling officer John Brown said he was confident more people than ever would make the effort to recycle their trees.

He said: "We're hoping to get as many people as possible to pick up the recycling message this year.

"And it's not just trees, but other materials as well.

"If people are getting new socks and hankies then they should think about putting the old ones in textile banks at recycling points instead of throwing them away."

Tree shredding will take place at recycling points in Malton, Norton and Thornton-le-Dale, from Monday, to Friday, January 11. A collection of trees will also take place on Saturday at Town Farm car park in Kirkbymoorside.

In York, the city council will be recycling throughout the festive season at Harewood Whin Road, towards Rufforth.

Residents will also be able to dispose of items at three recycling points across the city.

These are located at Beckfield Lane, Acomb; Foss Islands Road; and Towthorpe.

Updated: 10:24 Wednesday, January 02, 2002