AN ORCHARD in Turton will be given over to the community at an official ceremony tomorrow after two years of campaigning.

Blackrock Orchard, off Bolton Road, has been created from a former paddock after fears the land could be used for development.

It will be officially handed to Turton Parish Council from Blackburn with Darwen Council tomorrow at 1.30pm by ward councillor Jean Rigby.

Coun Rigby said: “The land was used by a man who rented it off the council and grazed a pony on it.

“About two years ago the council decided not to renew the lease, and alarm bells started ringing that they might be redesignating the land.

“The man and his neighbour came to me with an idea for a community orchard and I have worked on getting a grant for the project ever since.

"The idea was to safeguard the land and keep it for the community instead of it being developed.

“The name Blackrock comes from an old mill which used to stand nearby, and I thought it would be nice to preserve the name by naming the orchard after it.”

Forty apple trees which will produce baking and eating apples have been planted in the orchard.

Local children will also be encouraged to use the orchard, and they will be involved in planting trees and maintaining the area.