HOUSEHOLDS looking to clear their clutter of Christmas cards can help to save trees at the same time by taking them to Tesco.

Tesco Extra, in Ocotal Way, Swindon, began collecting Christmas cards on Monday as part of a scheme being run by the Woodland Trust.

South Swindon MP Anne Snelgrove is supporting the scheme and helped launch it at Tesco.

“Like everyone else, I have hundreds of Christmas cards after the festivities and this scheme means that the cards can be re-used for a great purpose,” she said.

“If everyone recycles just one Christmas card the Woodland Trust will be able to plant 15,000 trees to create UK woodland. Planting 15,000 trees would be enough to create a wood the size of 30 football pitches.”

Mrs Snelgrove said the scheme had been a great success so far.

“The recent problems in the recycled paper industry are only a temporary blip caused by the economic climate,” she said. “It will certainly get going again before long, so people shouldn’t be put off.”

“With everyone’s help, hopefully, there will be a great deal of Christmas cards waiting when the industry starts up again.”

The scheme will be running throughout January.