Children at Bromley Heath Junior School in Downend have helped to plant an orchard close to their school.

They worked with the Friends of Leap Valley and Avon Wildlife Trust to put fruit trees into the valley.

Old maps show there used to be several orchards nearby, belonging to Baugh Farm, which grew old varieties of apple and plum trees. Over the years these have been lost under housing and roads.

The 120 children took part in a week of learning activities inspired by the project. This culminated in planting fruit trees with names such as Arlingham Schoolboy, Ashmead's Kernel and Winterbourne Magnum. These trees will form the new Leap Valley Community Orchard.

Ruth Worsley, of Avon Wildlife Trust, said: "Our education team are delighted to be involved in a project which brings children closer to nature by being able to explore, discover the wealth of wildlife on the doorstep at Leap Valley and at the same time to get actively involved in improving the site for wildlife with the orchard planting."

Mary Lewis, from the Friends of Leap Valley, said: "By helping children to understand the benefits of eating locally grown fruit and to appreciate the local heritage and importance of fruit trees, we hope they will look after the orchard in the future."

Head teacher Marcus John said: "This represents a great opportunity for our children to participate in improving their local nature reserve and to learn about local history and food production.

"Our children already grow food in eight raised beds at school and this will add another dimension to their understanding of sustainable food production."

The project was funded by a South Gloucestershire Council Environment Grant and expertise on planting and management of the orchard has been given by Graham White of Mr Fruit.