GROWING a fruit tree in your garden can preserve an important part of Worcestershire's heritage - as well as providing you with an endless supply of free fresh fruit.

Names like Lord Hindlip, Pitmaston Duchess, Seabright and Yellow Pershore could be lost to future generations unless today's gardeners keep them alive.

But now people can buy these historic varieties of apple, pear, cherry and plum from Worcestershire County Council, along with other unusual examples of traditional county fruit trees.

Ten different varieties are available, including five dessert and cooking apples, two pears, two plums and a cherry.

"This is a great way to grow your own piece of Worcestershire history, while getting some fresh fruit into the bargain," said countryside officer Wade Muggleton.

The trees, costing £15 each, are pot-grown and each is about 3ft tall.

More details can be found in the leaflet Fruit Trees for Worcestershire, which can be downloaded from www.

worcestershire.gov.uk/countryside or obtained by calling 01905 766493.

Gardeners who want advice on how to prune fruit trees can learn more on Saturday, when Worcester Orchard Workers will be pruning trees under the guidance of Royal Horticultural Society expert John Edgeley.

A traditional orchard at Hornhill Meadows, close to Worcestershire Countryside Centre, had been almost lost under a thicket of shrubs before WOW got to work.

"Now all that remains to be done is for the old apples trees to be pruned back to health," said Worcester City Council's project greenspace officer, Rory McClure

"If you have neglected trees that you've lost control of, it's the perfect way to learn from one of the world's leading authorities.

To book a place on the free three-hour course, call 01905 722500.

There will be another opportunity to learn about pruning and grafting in a restored orchard at RNIB New College, Worcester, later this month.