Within living memory the old part of Mansfield Woodhouse was studded with orchards, both big and small, but over the years most have disappeared under housing, car parks and other developments.

Attempting to re-dress the loss, the Mansfield Woodhouse Millennium Green Trust raised funds to establish a Community Orchard on the Millennium Green, on Welbeck Road.

Over the summer the area was cleared and marked out by trust volunteers and in mid-November the first trees were planted.

The volunteers were aided by children from Year 6 at The Bramble Academy, Mansfield Woodhouse.

The class was split into teams of five or six youngsters, each with a trust volunteer. Equipped with spades, stakes, ties and mulch mats, the children enthusiastically planted the first 15 trees.

One said: “I didn’t think planting trees could be so much fun.”

The initiative was made possible by a grant from the SUEZ Communities Trust, an ethical funding organisation dedicated to making lasting improvements to the natural environment and community life.

Traditional orchards are recognised as important wildlife habitats and are included in the Local Biodiversity Action Plan for Nottinghamshire.

The Millennium Green Trust said it hoped the people of Woodhouse would take advantage of the availability of free fruit and that the 26-tree Community Orchard would become a lasting asset for all local residents.