Two environmental campaigners are hoping for a green rather than white Christmas after creating these unusual takes on the traditional festive fir.

Freegle pioneer Cat Fletcher and Dirty Beach artist Lou McCurdy created Christmas trees using ring binders, cigarette lighters, fishing buoys, toothbrushes and tampon applicators to send out a message about waste at Christmas.

The two trees were commissioned by Brighton and Hove City Council and have been installed in the main foyer of the council buildings – King’s House and Bartholomew House.

The creators say they hope the festive art will remind people about waste created at Christmas but the designs have given some council employees the needle and have led to calls for a more traditional tree next year.

Mrs McCurdy said she was contacted by the council to transform a library book shelf into a festive spectacle and also spent time combing the beach to find plastic debris to use.

The Seven Dials-based artist, who was paid £150 for the work, described her work as “very Brighton”.

She added: “The council told me they wanted to do something a bit different and it’s a talking point.

“Art is supposed to be provocative.

“I have had people complain that it is anti-Christian but the Christmas tree is a pagan symbol anyway.”

Waste House pioneer Cat Fletcher, who created her tree from ring binders, said: “The council has gone paperless so they have thousands of lever arch files that we are trying to distribute.

“There are lots of ways to have fun and celebrate the seasons without being wasteful and we know that Christmas can be extremely wasteful.

“It looks remarkably like an artificial tree in shape and it’s put a smile on people’s faces.” But the work has not filled everyone with Christmas cheer.

Conservative councillor Dawn Barnett said: “I think it is an embarrassment and it is making the council a laughing stock.

“Everybody who works for the council thinks it is a hideous monstrosity.”

Councillor Warren Morgan, Labour group leader said: "With all due respect to the artist, I don't think this works as an alternative to a Christmas tree, it has more of a summer look to it.”