New trees have been planted in a prominent community orchard - months after vandals had caused  "disheartening" damage.

Volunteers from the Carlton Colville Community Garden were left distraught after fruit trees were snapped and ripped out of the ground, with broken glass and rubbish scattered around the site during two incidents in October.

But now the community has rallied once more, and despite the recent wet and rainy conditions hardy volunteers - including some Beavers, Cubs and Scouts from 2nd Carlton Colville Scout Group together with adults - united to plant additional fruit trees at the community orchard in Carlton Colville, Lowestoft.

Lowestoft Journal: Planting fruit trees in the orchard at Carlton Colville Community Garden. Picture: Rachel EnglishPlanting fruit trees in the orchard at Carlton Colville Community Garden. Picture: Rachel English (Image: Rachel English)

Together with the local volunteer group they planted nine trees - including cherry, hazel, apple, plum and walnut - at the community garden near The Graylings, off Elmdale Drive, on land managed by Carlton Colville Town Council.

The trees will form a community orchard within the park, containing local varieties of fruit trees, which will serve as a focal point for future community activities.

Town councillor Chris Thomas said: "Carlton Colville Town Council successfully secured grant support through the Branching Out Fund with Greener Growth CIC.

"With the planting support from Greener Growth CIC we are very excited to have been able to plant more trees after we had some vandalism last year which saw three trees destroyed.

"All will offer food for residents for years to come."

With Carlton Colville Community Garden supporting biodiversity and developing green spaces by planting trees, it comes thanks to funding from The Tree Council’s Branching Out Fund.

The Tree Council Grants Officer, Geraldine Creaven, said: "Branching Out presents a fantastic opportunity for schools and community groups large and small to get their spades in the ground and start establishing life-enhancing and biodiversity boosting trees, hedgerows, and orchards in their neighbourhoods."

Mr Thomas also thanked the CIC Greener Growth for their expertise and The Co-op in Carlton Colville and Tesco Leisure Way for providing snacks and drinks for the volunteers.

Another maintenance day is set to take place in the coming weeks.