FAMILIES are invited to grab a free Christmas tree at RSPB Farnham Heath nature reserve this weekend - and in the process help give nature a home.

The reserve, located next to the Rural Life Centre in Reeds Road, will host its annual ‘Pull a Pine’ event this Saturday (December 2), from 10am to 3pm (last entry 2pm).

Families are welcome to pop in at any time, and an events tent will also offer children the chance to make their own Christmas decorations using materials foraged from the reserve.

Hot drinks will be on sale on the day, and parking is available next door at the Rural Life Centre. For more information visit rspb.org.uk/farnhamheath.

Lowland heathland is one of the UK’s most rare and threatened habitats. It supports a huge variety of wildlife, and many of the species, such as woodlarks and field crickets, cannot thrive in other areas.

However, heathland needs constant management to prevent it becoming over-grown by other species and to create the right habitats for species such as Dartford warblers and the silver studded blue butterfly.

A RSPB spokesman said: “Our reserve volunteers’ carry out many of these tasks (and much more besides), they each do a fantastic job, but we need your help too!

“One of the tasks we spend the most time on at Farnham Heath is removing invasive pine trees. The pines grow at an alarming rate and if left, they quickly take over the heathland.

“This is a really fun event for everyone to enjoy, teeny tiny trees can be pulled out by hand, perfect for the little ones! The larger trees can be cut down using hand tools, provided on the day.

“As a thank you for all of your hard work, visitors are welcome to take a tree home for free. You can pick your own local, sustainable, ethically sourced Christmas tree; filled with memories of a great family day out.”