GREEN-fingered volunteers in Droitwich, are being invited to help create a new community orchard for the town.

The orchard is being created by the parks team at Wychavon District Council, which is helping to transform a section of St Peter’s Field.

The area had previously been used for an experimental forest garden for local schools, a project which ended earlier this year.

The team is planning to plant a whole range of fruit trees and plants including a range of apples, pears, plums, quinces and medlars, a kind of small brown fruit similar to an apple.

Volunteer gardeners are being called on by the parks team to help in establishing the orchard and maintaining it. People interested in being involved with the project don’t need to have any particular experience or knowledge of maintaining an orchard, but if anyone does have that kind of experience, the parks team would be interested to hear from them.

This will be the second community orchard in the Wychavon district, with an earlier one being planted in 2010 in Abbey Park in Pershore, which is still being supported by six volunteers.

Lynn Stevens, parks officer at Wychavon District Council, said: “This is a great way to transform this part of St Peter’s Field and those who volunteer will not only have the opportunity to learn new things but will also benefit from harvesting and using the crop.

“I hope as many people as possible will support this project by getting involved.”

Plans are underway for the orchard to be planted this winter. Anyone interested in volunteering, should contact Emily Jeavons before the end of September by writing to emily.jeavons@wychavon.gov.uk or calling 01386 565457.