PEOPLE in Hyndburn will be given free fruit thanks to a new community orchard which is being planted as part of a new environmental project.

It is hoped that the scheme will see hundreds of fruit trees put in place at a site near the St Christopher’s High School in Accrington.

Already 12 trees have be planted and it is set to be expanded in the next three years.

The trees are located on the school’s land but bosses said that the project would benefit the local community as it would produce with free fruit.

Several varieties of apple, damson, and plum trees have been selected for their suitability for the harsh East Lancashire weather and the first phase of trees were planted last month at the school’s Eco Fair.

Science teacher and sustainability co-ordinator, Wendy Litherland, said: “Trees are good for the environment and lock up carbon, so they help to counteract climate change.

“But planting fruit trees is a novel take on the idea and makes people think about the vast distances that shop-bought food has travelled.

“Our orchard might prompt people to buy more local produce and maybe even grow some food of their own.”

She said the orchard would be expanded over the next few years with the addition of more trees and fruit bushes and it is hoped that St Christopher’s Orchard was just the first of several community orchards to be planted in Hyndburn.

The idea was initiated by environmental charity Prospects Foundation, which is eager to help communities respond to climate change, and funding was granted by Lancashire County Council’s new Trees and Woodlands Grant Scheme.

The County Council also assigned Steve Edwards, its expert fruit tree advisor, to help with the project.

Bosses at the charity are looking for other sites where another orchard could be planted.

Anyone with a site to recommend can call the charity on 01254 380675.