Community gardening scheme begins in Essex

An initiative to promote community orchards and allotments across Essex has begun.

Essex County Council is creating 50 orchards and allotments and five demonstration sites to help people learn how to grow their own produce.

Countryside Training Services and the British Trust of Conservation Volunteers will teach 500 people how to tend their orchards and allotments.

The scheme will also see "Orchard in a box" kits delivered to 66 schools.

Two sites in Harlow and Dedham Vale have already been established as part of the scheme, which involves organisations such as the National Trust, the Woodland Trust and the Allotment Association.