MARY Tavy and Brentor Primary School pupils' dream of developing a school field into a community orchard has been realised with support from Dartmoor National Park Authority's Celebrating your Community fund.

Working with their local ranger, the teachers and pupils have planted a variety of native apple trees in the Jubilee Orchard.

It is hoped that this will lead to an annual community apple event taking place, with the children and local villagers sharing knowledge and skills through different apple-related activities.

After successfully planting the trees at the beginning of December, including putting in place deer guards, the school was delighted to welcome naturalist, TV presenter and Dartmoor resident Nick Baker along to officially open the orchard.

Nick Baker said: 'Positive outdoor experiences as a youngster are likely to inspire an interest in the natural world.

'The marvellous opportunity to be present at the opening of this new orchard will hopefully trigger a lifelong appreciation for the beauty of Dartmoor National Park in the young people of this school.'

Head teacher Nicky Pratten said: 'On behalf of the school, I would like to thank Dartmoor National Park for their generous grant that has enabled us to set up this wonderful Jubilee Orchard.

'We look forward to many successful harvests in the future. We plan to enrich our curriculum and enhance the learning environment for the children.

'Many thanks to Rob Taylor, our Dartmoor National Park ranger and his team of volunteers, staff, parents and members of the local community for supporting this fantastic project.'

To mark ten years of the Dartmoor Sustainable Development Fund, Dartmoor National Park Authority announced a Celebrating your Community element of the fund. Every parish on Dartmoor was eligible to apply for up to £400 for a project that involved the community in some way. Mary Tavy and Brentor Primary School's community orchard is one of these projects.