The dry summer has put up Christmas tree prices

The Rotary Club's "Tree of Joy" scheme is meant to provide more than 50 extra gifts for deserving Guernsey youngsters.

However, the long, dry summer means they have to pay much more to buy the two trees which are traditionally used.

They will now cost nearly �1,400 instead of less than �600.

Financial headache

In the scheme, which is in its 10th year, each child nominated for the scheme is asked what they would like as an extra Christmas present.

Their requests are put on special labels which hang from the trees, which are put in public places, such as the Smith Street Post Office.

People take a label, buy the gift requested, wrap it up and put it under one of the trees.

But it may be reviewed now that organisers are faced with the financial headache.

Extra collections

Meanwhile, extra Christmas mail services will be laid on for Guernsey people in December.

As from next Monday, Guernsey Post will begin extra collections at the busiest points in its Bailiwick network and this will continue until 13 December.

There will also be a special Saturday collection on 13 December, ensuring collections every day that week.

In addition, extra island-wide deliveries have been organised for Sunday, 14 December, and Sunday, 21 December.