GREEN-FINGERED pupils have been planting the past — with an eye on a tasty future.

Youngsters at primary schools in Mumbles have been presented with rare Welsh apple trees by the local community council.

Seven schools — Mayals, Whitestone, Newton, Grange, St David's, Oystermouth and Llywnderw — are involved in the unusual project.

Along with old Welsh varieties such as Afal Pig Aderyn, Afal Pren Glas and Landore, the youngsters have been given saplings of Mumbles' very own variety — Channel Beauty — which was a popular eating apple in South Wales during the 1920s and 1930s.

The trees were delivered to the schools by Llandeilo apple expert Paul Davies, from Dolau Hirion Nursery, who helped settle the saplings into their new homes.

Mumbles community councillor Linda Tyler-Lloyd came up with the apple plan. She said the project grew out of discussions in the council about the possibility of establishing a new orchard.

"We thought it would be lovely to get local schools involved," she said.

"We spent a lot of time researching the best varieties, and came across these wonderful Welsh apples with terrific histories. The response from the schools has been fantastic, and it is great to be able to present them with a living part of history."

Each of the seven schools has been given two apple trees in the scheme, which is costing around £250.

The trees should begin bearing fruit in two years' time, but it will be six years before they are in full crop.

Mayals Primary School head teacher Damien Beech said his pupils were excited about being involved.

"I think it is a lovely idea — and the children have really engaged with it," he said.

"The trees tie-in with lots of the things we are doing here as part of our science and environmental studies.

"We already grow vegetables and herbs which we use in our school dinners — now youngsters will be able to see that fruit doesn't grow on supermarket shelves.

"And the fact that they are traditional, local varieties makes a really nice link with the wider community."