A RETAILER is leading the way with a new initiative to offer people the chance to grow their own fresh fruit for free.

Scotmid is encouraging groups in West Dunbartonshire to apply for £200 to purchase fruit trees or bushes to plant in a publicly accessible area, as part of its already highly successful, Scotland-wide Community Orchard campaign.

The campaign, created to encourage people to work together, increase physical activity and benefit the local environment, has spread its roots far and wide since launching earlier this year, with more than 70 orchards having been planted in sites up and down the country.

The retailer is now urging those in West Dunbartonshire to apply, in a bid to complete Scotmid’s ambition to have a community orchard close to every Scotmid store.

Lynne Ogg, communities manager at Scotmid, said: “It has been so encouraging watching communities come together to plant a whole host of fruit trees and bushes.

"Some of our groups have already spotted their first fruit and we can’t wait to hear how good they taste.

“Not only is this a fun way to get together with your local community but it’s also a really easy way to get outside and enjoy your local environment – we would love for more communities to benefit from this initiative.”

Groups close to the following Scotmid stores are encouraged to apply by visiting here.

  • Scotmid Clydebank (127-129 Riddell Street, Drumry, Clydebank, West Dumbartonshire, G81 2DH)
  • Scotmid Renton (165A Main Street, Renton, West Dumbartonshire, G82 4NL)
  • Scotmid Alexandria (1a/1b Tullichewan Drive, Alexandria, Dunbartonshire, G83 0JN)