AN UNORTHODOX way of getting rid of Christmas trees was held at a garden centre on Saturday.

Rosebourne Garden Centre, in Aldermaston, held its first ever Christmas tree toss contest, which is an annual event at the site’s sister location in Weyhill, Andover.

Open to all the family, the free competition was to see who could throw their tree the furthest distance with prizes up for grabs including a free Christmas tree for next year and an afternoon tea for two at Rosebourne Garden Centre.

A spokesman for Rosebourne said: “We were delighted to see so many excited families getting involved in our popular competition.

"It was a great success and we’ll definitely do it again next year.

"People kept telling us just how much they enjoyed themselves and it was nice to see little ones taking part in the smaller tree categories.”

All trees that had been entered into the competition will be recycled by Rosebourne. They will be chipped and used as mulch around the two garden centre sites.