More than 30 tonnes of trees were collected from homes and businesses in Dorset and Hampshire and taken to Eco Sustainable Solutions in Parley.

The recycling and renewables company turned the trees into 60m3 (60 cubic metres) of organic compost, equivalent to about 1,200 wheelbarrow loads.

The five charities involved were Diverse Abilities, Lewis-Manning Hospice Care, Julia’s House, Oakhaven Hospice and Stewarts Garden Centre on behalf of Friends of PICU. The money raised by the charities from charging people to dispose of their trees was up more than £5,000 on last year.

Eco provided its recycling services free of charge. The company also sponsored the Julia’s House campaign for £1,000.

Bryony Hammond, Eco’s Marketing Executive, said: “We’re proud to play our part in raising such a significant amount for five deserving local charities.

“Recycling the trees into nutrient-rich compost means that both people and the planet benefit from what has become a major annual fundraiser for the charities involved.”

Representatives from the charities, as well as Stewarts Garden Centres, visited Eco’s Parley site to see how the trees had been converted into compost.