A new orchard has been planted at Ballymoney Model Controlled Integrated Primary School in Co Antrim.

Volunteers from NIE Networks and The Conservation Volunteers helped pupils build the orchard on the school grounds.

The pupils involved were the Eco Councillors from P4 to P7 and, together with The Conservation Volunteers and Ailish McLaughlin from NIE Networks, they planted apple, plum and pear trees.

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Alastair Usher, NIE Networks Environment Officer, said: "Supporting community projects has always been part of NIE Networks' ethos, and planting fruit trees will help pupils understand the need for sustainability.

"We want to encourage them to make the most of the natural resources we have around us and we're keen to promote local biodiversity.

"In our line of work safety always comes first and during the year we ensure thousands of kilometres of overhead electricity network are clear of any vegetation growing beside it."

(CD/JP)