EAST Lancashire residents are being challenged to help turn empty drink and food cans into trees, simply by recycling more.

The Aluminium Packaging Recycling Organisation is promising to plant a tree for each tonne of aluminium cans and foil recycled during the next twelve months.

This means that every aluminium can and each kilo of foil recycled in Lancashire will count towards the programme.

It plans to plant at least 35,000 trees in parks and woodlands across the UK.

Steve Freeman from Alupro said: "It couldn't be easier to take part in the programme and however the

aluminium is recycled it counts.

"Everyone has a local can bank they can use, either in neighbourhood centres or when they go shopping.

"They can use one of the range of Household Waste Recycling Centres across the county.

"It can be even easier for those with kerbside recycling that includes cans, simply put them in the box."

County Councillor Brian Johnson said: "The Lancashire Waste Partnership is committed to making it easy for people to recycle their rubbish.

"The more aluminium we recycle in Lancashire the more trees will be planted in the county. "People have lots of ways that they can recycle their aluminium, but this is the first time they have been able to see the lasting results of their efforts in this way."