ORGANISERS are looking forward to a sunny day when Colwall Orchard Group will be holding its annual blossom picnic.

The venue is Broadwood Orchard, where it is hoped that the cherry trees will be in full bloom next Sunday, April 29, for the event.

Picnickers will gather in the orchard from noon and, depending on the weather, will be there until about 3.30pm.

Parents can relax with their picnics or take a blossom quiz, whilst children while have the chance to take part in bug hunts. The cherry orchards are renowned for their wealth of bugs and beasties so there should be lots to find.

Helen Stace, of Colwall Orchard Group, said: "The picnic is an opportunity for our friends and supporters to relax in the glorious surroundings of Broadwood Orchard, the largest cherry orchard in the West Midlands, which should be in full blossom. It was inspired by the blossom festivals of Japan.

Colwall Orchard Group was set up in 2007 to identify orchards in the parish and assess their wildlife value, and found more than 40 traditional orchards, in varying states of management or neglect.

Now it conserves, promotes and celebrates orchards in and around Colwall and has established a new community orchard.

It helps landowners manage orchards, promotes the use of sustainable orchard produce and celebrates traditional orchards in various seasonal events. This event will help raise funds to support these activities. To learn more, see colwallorchardgroup.org.