YOUNGSTERS from across Glasgow have been learning all about the wonders of a "Green Christmas".

Children from 30 schools and nurseries across the city visited the Botanic Gardens where they helped volunteers to plant and decorate edible Christmas trees in the Children's garden.

To celebrate its fifth anniversary the Commonwealth Orchard Project donated nearly 100 apple, pear and plum trees for the schools to plant.

The project is working with Glasgow City Council in a bid to create a healthy legacy for the Commonwealth Games in 2014.

John Hancox, director of the Commonwealth Orchard, said: "The idea of edible Christmas trees is to get away from the idea of Christmas trees as disposable things that are there for a few days over the holidays – and then thrown out.

"We hope the fruit trees will be there in 50 years time, still bearing fruit and enjoyed by generations of children."

Launched five years ago with a planting in Braid Park in the East End of Glasgow, the Commonwealth Orchard project has since planted 350 school orchards since 2008 and aims to plant around 1000 fruit trees across Glasgow.

Mr Hancox said: "We are delighted to be able to donate 100 fruit trees to Glasgow schools and nurseries and we hope that they encourage their pupils to learn to plant, grow and harvest their own fruit."

douglas.blane@ heraldandtimes.co.uk