FORGET the white Christmas! Environment officials in Yorkshire are hoping we have a green one ...

The Environment Agency has issued new guidelines to try and make sure the festive season does not end up in a landfill site.

And they've roped in a "green" Santa to get the message across.

Agency figures suggest that the weekly average of 23 kilograms of waste per family is likely to increase dramatically this month.

And they estimate that only 3kg of that waste is recycled.

Environmental planning manager Steve Jackson said: "Waste disposal is a major issue facing the county. The space for landfill sites is an ever-increasing problem.

"We urge people to spare a thought for the environment this Christmas and try and ensure that more of their waste is recycled."

Tips to improve recycling levels include:

* Re-use wrapping paper

* Switch off fairy lights whenever you leave home

* Make sure you have bags available for bottles, cans and paper, which can then be taken to recycling sites.

* Use real Christmas trees instead of artificial ones

* Walk to friends' homes instead of driving

* Use a compost bin for all your Christmas vegetables.

SANTA'S traditional red costume is a relatively new idea.

The original Santa Claus wore green or blue. It was not until 1861 that he appeared in a reddish-brown outfit.

And it was only in 1931 that the red outfit appeared - when Coca Cola produced a series of advertisements and wanted the red colour to tie in with their branding.