PEOPLE were busy digging on the beach at Widemouth Bay on Saturday when a Christmas tree burial event took place near the main car park.

Among heavy showers, more than 80 Christmas trees were placed on the beach to retain sand being swept from it, and to create a foundation to plant marram grass.

Ado Shorland, who runs Widemouth Task Force, said: “The grass has a very strong root system which will stabilise sand movement, creating strong dunes.

“Thanks to everyone who braved the rain and donated trees.”

— Cornwall Council is collecting real Christmas tress for free this week and next.

This week and the week commencing January 18, people who put their real Christmas trees out on their normal rubbish collection day, on the week their recycling is not collected, will have them collected by the council for free.

The trees will then be shredded and composted.

Trees can also be taken to household waste and recycling centres.

Further information can be found at https://www.cornwall.gov.uk/environment-and-planning/recycling-rubbish-and-waste/rubbish-collections/christmas-and-new-year-rubbish-and-recycling/