PEOPLE in Barnoldswick and Earby  are being encouraged to plant orchards to commemorate the King's Coronation.

This comes after Pendle Borough Council received a £19,000 grant from the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) in 2023 to create orchards throughout the area.

The funding, from DEFRA’s Coronation Living Heritage Fund, aims to enable more trees to be planted in non-woodland locations close to residential areas.

Councillor Asjad Mahmood, leader of Pendle Borough Council, said: "This is a great way to add more greenery to our borough and commemorate the King’s Coronation."

Cllr Mahmood said the money would assist schools, businesses, and community groups lacking the funds to mark the royal occasion.

Eligible groups include town and parish councils, schools, community groups, residents' associations, businesses, and landowners with publicly accessible land.

The orchards must be accessible to the public, or a large number of people, such as those at schools.

Phil Riley, Pendle Borough Council’s green spaces manager, said: "It is anticipated the orchards will bring multiple benefits.

"Orchards provide a local source of healthy organic food for communities and schools and will help residents involved in their planting feel greater connection to their local green spaces."

Applications are now open and planting must be completed before March 2025.