ANIMALS at Dudley Zoo are getting their claws into Christmas trees thanks to Clent garden centre's latest recycling scheme.

Barnett Hill Garden and Leisure on Worcester Road, took customer’s unwanted trees to the Castle Hill zoo last Friday.

Keeper Matt Lewis explained: "Carnivores like tigers, rip up the trees and mark them with their scent. They become intoxicated by the smell."

Store manager, Nick Walton, said: "Having our own pets and aquatics department at Barnett Hill Garden and Leisure, we know how difficult it can be to provide a unique environment for each animal."

He said he was "delighted" to be able to help provide the trees and added: "It is wonderful to have such an array of animals on our community's doorstep, which are cared for so attentively by the all the team at Dudley Zoo.

"We hope this will be the first step in building a strong relationship with them and we look forward to working with the team on other projects in the near future."