King's Lynn's Harding's Pits may be used to grow fruit for community

Harding's Pits includes a network of wooden sculptures and paths by the River Great Ouse

A green space could be used to grow fruit for the community under plans to plant an orchard.

Harding's Pits by the River Great Ouse, south of King's Lynn, was developed 20 years ago and is used for recreation and conservation.

The borough council has recommended it is designated a village green and put in a bid for funding for an orchard.

Michael de Whalley, Green Party cabinet member for biodiversity, said the area was already well used by residents.

If successful, the bid for £23,000 from the Urban Tree Challenge Fund would be topped up by £6,000 from the council's climate change fund.

"As well as the 34 mixed fruit trees, we're hoping for a major art project to bring more trees to the area to encourage even more visitors, young and old, to Harding's Pits," Mr de Whalley said.

The area is owned by the Borough Council of King's Lynn and West Norfolk and managed by the Harding's Pits Community Association.

Its volunteers carry out routine maintenance, litter picking, and tree planting.

The association's vice-chairman Richard Morrish said: "This is an increasingly important green space within the town, not only as an amenity area for local residents, but also as an urban nature reserve."