People risk not having their Christmas tree collected after the festivities are over if they don't pay for a council's new service

Householders who wish to have their garden bin emptied – or their real Christmas tree taken away – over the festive period are being reminded by the council to subscribe to its garden waste collection service – and to do so by this Friday - December 13, to ensure they receive their bin sticker before Christmas.

The authority said almost 65,000 people have now subscribed to the service, which began on November 4. A subscription costs £56 per bin, and runs to the end of October next year.

Everyone that subscribes receives a bin sticker that shows the waste collection crews which bins to empty.

Ian Nellins, Shropshire Council’s deputy leader and Cabinet member with responsibility for waste management, said: “We’re reminding people that they now need to sign up to have their garden waste, and Christmas trees, collected – and encouraging them to do so by the end of this week to make sure that their bin sticker arrives by Christmas Day.

“I’m really pleased with the number of people that have subscribed so far and I want to thank everyone that has signed up. Each subscription is generating income which covers the cost of the service and frees up finances so that the council can continue to provide essential services for those who need them.”

The council has also defended its move to introduce the charges adding: "More than 80 per cent of councils in England now charge for garden waste collections."