VOLUNTEERS from Worcestershire Wildlife Trust have planted 100 plum trees at Tiddesley Wood.

The trees have extended the site of the current orchard, part of the Tiddesley Wood nature reserve near Pershore, with the aim of ensuring a suitable habitat for orchard wildlife for many years to come.

Harry Green, volunteer manager for Tiddesley Wood, said: “We were really lucky with the weather and managed to get all 100 trees, of local varieties, planted.

“Two or three of us had been out the day before to lay out the grid plan for the trees so it was a case of a few hours hard work and we’re now looking forward to seeing the first plums in two or three years time.”

Rob Allen, conservation officer responsible for the reserve, added: “Old orchards are incredibly important places for a whole variety of wildlife.

“The old plum orchard at Tiddesley Wood is home to the rare noble chafer beetle, for example.

“These beautifully iridescent beetles are only found in three areas of the UK and Worcestershire’s a bit of a hot spot for them, so it’s really important that we’re able to plant new trees to ensure a a future for the beetles when the old trees eventually disappear."

A grant of £2,922 from the Lafarge Tarmac Landfill Communities Fund enabled Worcestershire Wildlife Trust to purchase the 100 trees.