LANCASHIRE'S waste experts have produced a special advent countdown in a bid to reduce the amount of waste created this Christmas.

More rubbish is thrown away by people at Christmas than at any other time of year.

Sarah Holliday, waste minimisation team leader at Lancashire County Council, said: "This year we are asking people to make the 3R's part of their Christmas.

"That's not Rudolph, Reindeer and Roast but Reduce, Reuse, Recycle.

"At this time of year we seem to get gripped by a festive frenzy meaning that once everything calms down, following the New Year, we inevitably end up throwing out more rubbish than at any other time of year.

"Over Christmas, people will get through more than 20 million jars of mincemeat, pickles and sauces, all of which could easily be recycled, either in people's collection service or at the many recycling sites across the county.

"This year we are hoping to give people some simple ideas to consider, encouraging them to take steps to making it a greener Christmas".

The tips will be available at www.lancswasteinfo.com and will be released weekly.