LEDBURY'S Western Explorer Scouts have a successful Christmas tree collection to celebrate, with more than one hundred local residents taking advantage of the service.

The real-tree collection by the scouts, to give local people a hassle-free close to the festive period, is now a firm Ledbury tradition.

In fact, this year was the sixteenth year in a row that the collection has taken place.

And this year it was particularly successful, with more than 30 more trees being collected than was the case in 2015.

The scouts collect trees from local addresses for a fee, which this year was £4 a tree, and the trees on turn are then turned into mulch for recycling.

Members of the public were asked to phone a number in advance then leave trees outside their property, with the fee and a note attached. On the day, collections took place from 9am onwards.

Scout group spokesman, Dr Robert Scholefield said: "Last Saturday, January 7, Ledbury’s Western Explorer Scouts did their annual used Christmas tree collection.

Eleven members of the unit, together with adult leaders collected well over 100 trees, from homes in and around Ledbury. More than £500 was raised."

This is £160 up on last year's total.

Dr Scholefield added: "The money will be split between the Explorer Scout Unit and 1st Ledbury Scout Group. The money will be used to provide activities and training throughout the various sections.

"We are grateful for the support shown for our fundraising activities over the Christmas period, which included bag packing at Tesco in December, and for the generosity of those who have donated."

The total amount raised this way is still to be announced.