People planning to have a Christmas clearout have been advised to plan ahead by one local authority.

Loughborough County Council noted that the festive period is traditionally a very busy time for waste tips and recycling facilities, as people rearrange their homes ahead of December 25th.

In addition, once people have received their presents on Christmas Day, they are likely to have an additional rearrangement session to ensure that everything is in the right place.

"People considering a festive clearout should plan ahead," the local authority told the Loughborough Echo, noting that queues at dumps and recycling sites can be huge over the colder months of the year.

Keen to have a festive clearout but unable to bring yourself to throw away an old family heirloom to make room for a new piece of furniture? Secure storage is a great way of keeping these items safe until a long-term home can be found.

Written by Paul Governor