Shirley Garden Centre in Croydon is hoping to help customers have a green Christmas by offering free tips on selecting, caring for and disposing of their Christmas trees in an environmentally friendly way.

The offer will run right up to Christmas eve and is open to all – even if you’ve already bought your tree.

Colin Hammond, manager of the Wickham Road centre, said: “One of the benefits of having a real Christmas tree is that it can be better for the environment.

“Although they aren’t carbon neutral, Christmas trees help to reduce greenhouse gases by absorbing carbon dioxide while they are growing. They can also be recycled and turned into mulch, which can then be used on flower beds.”