AN ORCHARD that once provided apples to help Captain James Cook and his crew ward off scurvy is proving a fertile training ground for nature-lovers.

Appleton Mill Farm near Pickering is home to several apple, pear and plum trees and was recently used by Yorkshire Wildlife Trust trainees from the ‘Tomorrow’s Natural Leaders’ project.

The trainees were given the opportunity to practise their skills and breathe some life back into the old apple trees.

They examined the trees’ health and pruned branches under the guidance of Hilary Dodson of the Northern Fruit Group.

The Natural Leaders scheme is one of 31 projects that make up the Yorkshire Wildlife Trust’s Our Bright Future portfolio, funded by the Big Lottery Fund.

The programme aims to bring communities together and gives volunteers the skills to enable them to make a real difference to their local environment.

Tomorrow’s Natural Leader Ant Cox said: "I was able to gain valuable skills in the pruning of apple trees on the farm, I can't wait to see the fruits of my labour come next summer."

Ms Dodson added: “It is very rewarding to teach people who are interested.

“Some years ago I was disturbed to know that traditional skills relating to looking after fruit trees, such as pruning and grafting were in danger of being lost.

“I was therefore keen to pass on these skills.”