Schoolchildren are hoping that their hard work will continue to bear fruit – after helping to plant a mini orchard.

The youngsters from Seaton St Paul’s CofE Junior School have planted apple trees, damsons and blackcurrants in a community orchard on a popular cyclepath in the village.

The 35 children from Year 5 were getting their hands dirty along the former iron ore railway, as part of a project by UK charity Sustrans.

Xavier Brice, chief executive of Sustrans, helped out on the day. He said: “It’s been a wonderful opportunity to plant trees with the children and volunteers at Seaton CofE Junior School. We have planted several local varieties which we hope will be yielding fruit for generations to come.

“Tracks of the Ironmasters route has long been at the heart of the community. It was once a busy iron ore railway and is now a popular walking and cycle path, as well as an important site for local heritage and wildlife.

"The route is a great example of a path for everyone, which attracts all ages and abilities to get outdoors and choose a healthier lifestyle.”

Mr Brice was joined by Rosslyn Colderley, Sustrans director for the North of England, local Sustrans volunteers and staff. And together with the youngsters, the team also created a large bug hotel and made hedgehog shelters.

They then met a rescue hedgehog thanks to Ani-Mel Sanctuary at Bank Mill.

Teacher Tim Dickinson said that the pupils had thoroughly enjoyed their day.

He added: “It was great for the children to give the time to a worthwhile community project, which they can see evolve and literally bear fruit.

“All the children thought it was a brilliant experience. Some liked the planting, some liked building the bug hotel, others liked seeing the hedgehog.”

This section of the C2C is known as the Tracks of the Ironmasters as it was once a railway linked to former iron ore mines at Knockmurton and Kelton and ironworks at Workington, Cleator and Distington.

It is now part of a Sustrans project supported by the National Heritage Lottery Fund, to restore the natural, social and industrial heritage.