A swap session is being held in Stevenage next week to help people pass on Christmas presents that didn’t quite tick their boxes, and reinforce a new year recycling message.

The Stevenage Borough Council event aims to encourage people to recycle by bringing their unwanted Christmas presents along to Bedwell Community Centre on Wednesday.

The swap shop session will run from 11.30am to 1pm and is billed as a chance for people to bring along unwanted presents, such as toys and DVDs, old clothes and small household electrical items – including kettles, toasters, Christmas lights and CD players – to be recycled or swapped.

Councillor John Gardner, the council’s executive member for environment and regeneration, said: “Christmas is a busy period for us all and a lot can go to waste but events like this are a chance for our residents to start the New Year by recycling even more.

“Whether you have unwanted Christmas presents, or items that you no longer use, bring them along to be recycled or reused.”