Pupils at a school in Mattishall have planted six fruit trees that were donated by a Heritage Lottery scheme.

Dereham Times: Mattishall tree planting. Picture: Claire FindlayMattishall tree planting. Picture: Claire Findlay (Image: Archant)

Children from the reception class at Mattishall Primary School planted the trees on Friday and were assisted by Year 5 pupils, along with gardener Robert French and parish councillors, Janice Smith and Mike Nunn.

The trees were donated to the school by the Orchards for Schools scheme, which is a project overseen by the Heritage Lottery Fund and delivered by the charity, East of England Apples and Orchards Project.

The three pear trees and three plums have associations with Norfolk and were part of a scheme by the school to recognise Norfolk heritage varieties in their school orchard.

In February, vandals destroyed more than 200 trees that had been planted by Year 5 students but after hearing the news, housing developer Abel Homes stepped forward and offered to replace them.

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