WINCHESTER City Council is collecting unwanted Christmas trees as part of its waste collection service.

Residents who have had a real tree up over the holidays can leave it with their garden waste to be collected by the city council.

READ MORE: Winchester Christmas bin collections

Trees need to be stripped of all decorations, removed from pots, and placed outside on garden waste collection day during the weeks starting Monday, January 8 and Monday, January 15.

Trees more than five feet tall should be cut into smaller pieces so the council team can fit them in the collection vehicle.

Winchester City Council is still working on a revised waste and collection schedule following the festive period, with the timetable resuming to normal from Monday, January 15.