SWINDONIANS are being urged not to throw out old Christmas cards in the New Year clean-up.

As decorations are shoved back into the loft many of us will be wondering what to do with cards we have accumulated.

But John Short, director of Swindon Services, has urged people not to throw them out with normal household rubbish.

Swindon Council has teamed with Recycle Now a green initiative and the Woodland Trust to offer a more environmentally sound alternative.

"More than a billion cards are sent by people in the UK over Christmas," he said.

"We are asking people to post their cards in the special bins at the recycling centre at Waterside Park in Cheney Manor or at the special designed bins at WH Smith and Tesco."