LOCAL schoolchildren are this week planting fruit trees at Forest attraction Puzzlewood, near Coleford, which has won a 'fantastic' grant from Natural England.

 The planting is being carried out in partnership with the Natural England Stewardship scheme, says a spokesman.

The project will be phased over ten years and includes the planting of traditional perry trees and other specimen varieties bearing a wide variety of fruit.  

"In addition to the orchard development the grassland at Puzzlewood will be restored to wildflower meadows and all the hedges restored and laid in the traditional way.

"The whole scheme will be of benefit to the wildlife of the area, in particular the protected bat species that roost locally, " said the spokesman.

The project includes the opportunity for local schools to be involved in all stages of the orchard development; from planting the trees, to picking the fruit.

"This will give local children the opportunity to experience the natural environment, and learn where their food comes from and how it is produced," said the spokesman.

The project was initially launched on October 14 last year with 90 local school children. Martin Hayes, an orchard expert, introduced the children to orchards and then showed them how to make their own juice using traditional equipment.

The children also sampled various varieties of fruit and gave their opinions on what should be planted in their new orchard.