Christmas trees collected from Cambridge homes have been given a new lease of life – as soil improver which residents can collect for free.

After Christmas last year, Cambridge City Council shredded 12 tonnes of Christmas trees collected from households. The trees were first turned into chippings, and have now been turned into soil improver, which is now available to local residents and farmers.

The council joined up with Arthur Rank Hospice last Christmas to raise funds for the charity. Residents could arrange for a collection of their Christmas tree by signing-up and donating money to the charity and a team of volunteers collected the trees.

Trees were also collected and shredded by the Streets and Open Spaces Team at Cherry Hinton Hall.

The 12 tonnes of real Christmas trees collected at the beginning of this year have now been turned into the soil improver which is free for residents to collect at the Amey facility in Waterbeach.

Real Christmas trees collections will be organised again this Christmas and details will be published nearer the time.