Go green for the one you love this Valentine's Day

But it can also be used to show a bit of tender loving care for the environment, according to Lewes District Council.

With around 12 million Valentine's cards sent every year in the UK1, Lewes District Council has some tips to be greener:

- send a special Valentine's e-card or text message '“ they are good for the environment and your pocket

- remember to recycle your card - or cards!

- avoid over-packaged cards.

What about that Valentine's gift? There's nothing wrong with flowers and chocolates, but there are ways of improving on the old tried and tested formulas:

-order flowers from a local florist and ask for them to be wrapped in paper that can be recycled, and remember to compost the flowers afterwards;

-choose chocolate with the Fair Trade label '“ it helps communities in need and, with a higher cocoa content, tastes delicious;

-consider jewellery that is made from recycled plastic bags or recycled glass bottles for a change, see www.recyclenow.com/buying_recycled for ideas;

-choose cosmetics and toiletries that are organic and not tested on animals;

-for something a bit different, name a star after them or dedicate a tree to a special friend instead and help the Woodland Trust restore the UK's native woodland heritage - www.woodlandtrust.org.uk