BURNLEY Borough Council is urging residents to watch their rubbish this Christmas as it puts out an environmentally friendly festive message.

And they are offering people taking part in a recycling scheme the chance to win £100 towards their Christmas expenses.

The council has come up with a six point action plan to ease the strain on landfill sites at a time of year when a huge amount of rubbish is generated.

"The landfill sites are filling up quickly and we need to find other ways of getting rid of our rubbish," said a spokesman.

"Everyone can take a few simple steps to watch their waste over the Christmas holidays without cutting down on the turkey and cakes."

The council's suggestions are:

Put all glass and food and drink cans in the banks at one of the recycling centres.

Compost all fruit and vegetable waste -- a free home compost bin and advice are available by telephoning 0845 073 2002.

Recycle real Christmas tree by taking them to Townley Garden Centre or the recycling centres at Grosvenor Street, Burnley or Park Road, Padiham.

Take old clothes, books and shoes to your local charity shop or a recycling centre.

Buy an artificial tree, reuse Christmas decorations and save wrapping paper to use next year.

Put all newspapers, magazines and waste paper in your white recycling bag.

People taking part in the paper re-cycling scheme in December will have the chance to win £100.

Simply fill in your name and address on the back of the leaflets available from Burnley Borough Council Offices, sports centres and other outlets., and put the leaflet in your paper re-cycling bag.

The person whose slip is pulled out the week before Christmas will win the cash prize.