ST HELENS Council's Christmas tree recycling initiative came second in the National Tidy Britain 'Going for Green' awards.

The event was judged on the number of trees submitted per 1,000 population. First prize went to Daventry, who recorded 542 trees, with St Helens a close runner-up with 525, well ahead of the third-placed entrant with 154.

Council leader Marie Rimmer was delighted that the council had received the award and said it was a remarkable achievement, especially as it was the first time the authority had entered the event. And she pledged: "We will be aiming for top next year."