A CHARITY is appealing to people to donate their old Christmas cards as it launches its seasonal recycling campaign.

Volunteers from the Butterwick Hospice in Bishop Auckland launched their annual Christmas card collection appeal last week.

Bernard Harrison, from the hospice, said the charity relies on recycling for a large bulk of its fundraising, making an average of £12,000 a year.

Mr Harrison said: "I have set a target for this year and I am hoping that we manage to raise £15,000. This type of thing brings us a lot of money."

The hospice has recycling outlets in Frosterley, Spennymoor, Tudhoe, Bishop Auckland, Newton Aycliffe and Shildon.

As well as its Christmas card scheme volunteers also collect aluminium cans and foil, cardboard, A4 white paper, mobile phones and inkjet cartridges, Yellow Pages, postage stamps and coins.

Foreman Recycling of Spennymoor has delivered a recycling container to the hospice especially for the Christmas card appeal. The container will remain in the car park at the hospice in Woodhouse Lane until February 17.

Anyone also wishing to drop off old copies of Yellow Pages can leave them in another container which is situated in the car park.

For more information about the schemes contact the hospice on (01388) 603003.

* Pictured above are hospice volunteers Bernard Harrison, left, and Russel Hunter, at the launch of the Christmas card recycling appeal.