CHILDREN at Mary Tavy and Brentor School were recently presented with the Dartmoor Preservation Association Shield, in recognition of their 'green fingers'.

The award was given as a result of conservation work carried out by young people in the school's Jubilee Orchard, which was opened last year by Nick Baker.

The orchard, tended to by the school's gardening club, features trees local to Devon.

Clare Carowicz, teacher and leader of the gardening club, said that this year had not been as fruitful as hoped but added that staff and pupils had high hopes for next year.

She said: 'The trees flowered this year and we got three apples — but we are hoping that next year we get much more!

'The children are very keen in the orchard and like getting muddy!'