AN UNUSUAL Christmas tree is being put up in one town centre this year.

The 5m high tree in Bognor is made from 600 reused green plastic bottles which will be lit up throughout December.

The tree will be officially switched on by pantomime performers from Aladdin, which is on at The Regis Centre.

The tree sculpture was created by Tracey Graham, known as the “Rubbish Artist”, to help highlight plastic recycling in West Sussex.

An estimated 166 million plastic bottles were recycled in the county during the last year – out of a possible 262 million.

The big switch-on is on Thursday and the pantomime characters will be outside the centre from 4pm, with the official launch at 4.30pm.

West Sussex County Council’s waste prevention team will be there to talk about the tree and give tips on what to recycle at Christmas.

West Sussex County Council cabinet member for the environment Deborah Urquhart said: “The tree is such a delight to see.

“It’s a really impressive sight, especially when it’s dark and lit up.

“But it does make you think how many bottles aren’t getting the chance to be recycled.

“In West Sussex, residents are recycling 59 per cent of plastic bottles which is great, but 41 per cent end up in the bin.”

The tree will be in place until January.