Metsähallitus, the Finnish government's forest enterprise, said Wednesday it had launched a service in the province of Lapland enabling members of the public to buy a Christmas tree felling licence by text message.

The licence, costing 4.93 euros, entitles its holder to fell a spruce measuring up to three metres in the immediate vicinity of a road in government forests.

The licence covers pines as well spruces in Enontekiö, Inari and Utsjoki.
The number is 0600 820250.

STT