The final two days of the Christmas tree collection schedule have been postponed.

Richmond Council is running a free disposals service - all residents have to do is leave their real tree at the front of their homes on their normal scheduled garden waste collection day.

The service was set to run for 12 days until Friday, January 15.

But some employees have been struck down with illness and others have been forced to self-isolate in response to Covid-19, and collections have been paused until this weekend.

The council said: "Due to a number of crew members being off sick or self-isolating, all Christmas trees will now be collected on Saturday, January 16.

"Garden waste, refuse and recycling should be collected as normal."

Alternative disposal options

If you can't wait until Saturday, you can take your Christmas tree to:

• Household Waste and Recycling Centre, Townmead Road, Kew (please remember to book ahead)
• Barn Elms Sports Centre, SW13 0DG (opposite Barnes Rugby Centre)
• Squire's Garden Centre Car Park, Sixth Cross Road, TW2 5PA
• Old Deer Car Park, TW9 2RA
• Ham Street Car Park, TW10 7RS
• Nelson Road Car Park, TW2 7BB
• Hampton Library Car Park, TW12 2AB
• North Lane Car Park, Teddington, TW11 0HJ