London, Nov 13 (ANI): Peeing on the compost heap can help fertilise gardens and save on flushing the lavatory, a UK charity has urged.

The National Trust actively campaigns on climate change, and now it has said that answering the call of nature outside saves both on water and the energy used in flushing the lavatory.

Up till now, the practice was encouraged at stately homes around the country where "pee bales" have been deposited in secluded areas of National Trust gardens to allow male members of staff to relieve themselves.

The project is followed because urine speeds up the chemical process in the compost heap, making it a better fertiliser to help grow vegetables and save even more energy in reducing food miles, reports The Telegraph.

Male urine is better than female urine because it is slightly less acidic.

Rosemary Hooper, Wimpole estate's in-house 'master composter', encouraged anyone to urinate on their compost heap.

"Most people can compost in some way in their own gardens," she said

"Peeing on a compost heap activates the composting process helps to produce a ready supply of lovely organic matter to add back to the garden," she added.

She insisted it will not make the compost heap smell any worse and could eventually make sweet-smelling flowers come up better.

"Adding a little pee just helps get it all going; it's totally safe and a bit of fun too," she added. (ANI)