HALLOWEEN lovers have been urged not to waste their pumpkins this year.

It is thought that around 80 per cent of the million pumpkins bought around this time of year will be used for carving into ghoulish lanterns for doorsteps and windows.

Worcestershire County Council has released tips on making more use of the pumpkins.

The suggestions include cooking with the pumpkin to make pumpkin soup or pumpkin mash and roasting the seeds.

Recipes are available on lovefoodhatewaste.com.

Pumpkins can also be composted and those who don't have a compost bin can order one at getcomposting.com.

Anyone with an unwanted pumpkin can take it to Old North Stables at Northwick where Transition Worcester will compost it and use the compost for their gardening and growing activities.

A box will be left outside the gates of the Old North Stables to accept the pumpkins until mid-November.

Councillor Anthony Blagg, the council's cabinet member with responsibility for the environment, said: "Halloween, while great fun for the family, is also an example of how wasteful people can sometimes be with food.

"A pumpkin can have a variety of uses, not just as a lantern, and we encourage residents to visit the Love Food Hate Waste website to see how they can make the most of all of their food.

"An average family can save up to £70 a month just by shopping smarter, storing more carefully and planning their meals."