RESIDENTS outrage as an artificial tree has been dumped in a real Christmas tree recycling area.

West Wellow Village Hall is part of Test Valley Borough Council's scheme to recycle real trees, giving residents options across the borough to recycle their real Christmas tree as the festive season ends.

However, some residents have been abusing the system and have dumped an artificial tree on the land which is only for real trees.

West Wellow residents have vented their fury at the "laziness".

Lorna Thaxter, of West Wellow Village Hall, said: "I am so angry that someone has decided they can dump their tree there because the council department will have to clear it.

"The village hall is a charity and TVBC asks permission to set up the tree recycling facility every year.

"We agree as we feel it is good for the community - it is ultimately as near as possible to fly tipping.

"They could probably have taken it to the tip for disposal or even broken it down into their black bin?"

The post was uploaded to Facebook and residents have been hitting out at the culprit.

Lorna added: "One person said on the feed 'Could itself have been recycled and if so why not advertise it as free to a good home?' rather than dumping it at the village hall which is private land."

Councillor Nick Adams-King, who represents blackwater on the borough council, said: "It is just thoughtless isn't it?

"The whole point is to recycle the tree and if you are so lazy and can't be bothered to take off the lights before dumping, well you really have to question what people are thinking.

"It is abusing what we put in place and I hope we can track down the person who did it to send a message.

"We (TVBC) now have to pay to get this removed where it could have been spent on other things."