A commemorative orchard to celebrate Grantham's aviation and airborne forces heritage is moving forward.

South Kesteven District Council has signed a 50-year lease with the National Trust for 3.75 acres of land next to Sedgewick Meadows and Wyndham Park to create the Heroes Orchard.

A report highlighting the decision made last month has been prepared for next Tuesday's meeting of the council's cabinet.

It said the orchard will provide extra green and productive space in the centre of Grantham, housing a range of fruit trees for community use and promote the importance of biodiversity.

It will also help the council meets its 'Climate Emergency' carbon reduction targets and recognise the importance of tree planting.

The report said SKDC is working with the Wyndham Park Forum, the National Trust and Heritage Fruit Trees to deliver the commemorative orchard.

Agreement has been made with the National Trust to lease pastureland by Wyndham Park so the council can park 75 trees, enabling community involvement in both planting, maintenance and cropping of fruit.

The cost of the lease is a nominal £1 a year, with SKDC anticipating maintenance costs of the site of £500 a year.

The report continued: "Trees will be of heritage varieties, with a symbolic planting of American maples to denote the American contribution to both conflicts and their presence here since 1944."

"Heritage Fruit Trees, which has conducted valuable Heritage Lottery funded work on engagement with schools, will supply the trees."

It added: "The Wyndham Park Forum intend to undertake the grounds maintenance of the orchard through the use of their existing volunteers and they also hope that the orchard itself will help to attract additional volunteers."

As reported previously by Grantham Nub News, planting days are being held on Sunday March 15 and Thursday March 19 .

South Kesteven District Council has also contributed towards an appeal to fund the orchard.