ST ROCCO'S Christmas tree collection has raised more than £30,000 thanks to donations from generous Warrington residents.

On Saturday, more than 130 volunteers collected 2,400 Christmas trees throughout Warrington and the surrounding areas to raise money for people diagnosed with life-limiting illnesses and their families.

Members of the community donated a total of £34,000 to have their discarded trees collected, recycled and disposed of in an environmentally friendly way.

It is the seventh year that the scheme has been in operation and it has grown incredibly since 2013 when just 500 trees were collected.

Charlotte Howard, events fundraiser at St. Rocco’s said: "We’re absolutely thrilled that so many people in the Warrington community continue to support patient care at St. Rocco’s by recycling their trees.

"We are so grateful to the 16 businesses and organisations who have supported tree collection by providing vehicles and volunteers this year.

"It is absolutely true to say that without them our tree collection simply would not take place."

This year Warrington Borough Council, BT Skips, Torus, Urban Building Projects, Orangries of Cheshire, VPS Specialists, Jewson, SP Energy Networks, nmcn, Today Team, Beesley & Fildes, Marave, Warrington Electrical Supplies, Beechwood Industries, Omega Access North and Bmech all had vans out on the roads from 7am in order to collect the trees.

Anyone who would like to be notified when booking opens for next year’s collection can register their interest online.