A charity is hoping to plant an orchard of 20 fruit trees in the grounds of a primary school.

TreeAction UK is a Sussex-based tree planting and maintenance non-profit organisation which aims to engage young people in environmental projects at schools and in their communities, supporting planting efforts through fundraising and planning assistance.

So far it has carried out seven school projects with the eighth on its way, and nurtured four council-provided community spaces.

It is now hoping to raise £5,000 to plant an orchard of 20 free fruit trees in the grounds of Durrington Infant and Junior School in Worthing.  

The varieties will likely include pear, plum and cherry trees and the project will help the school address an “educational vacuum” through hands-on tree care and fruit picking as part of the curriculum.

The school supports a considerable number of “vulnerable and disadvantaged” pupils and their families. It has a food bank supporting up to 50 families each month, offering breakfast to pupils, and each Friday makes surplus food available to families who cannot always provide fresh fruit to their children.

Fruit from the orchard would provide mid-morning snacks to pupils.