A NEW village orchard and children’s play area are to be created on land the National Trust has recovered from an estate on Exmoor.

Luccombe Parish Council was already working on plans for a play area when the trust announced it now had 4.2 acres of pasture land available from the 16th century Wychanger Barton manor house.

Councillors were pushing for the play equipment in response to the arrival in Luccombe of several families with young children in recent years.

The trust has started looking at where fruit trees could be planted in the area, which will also have a pond fed by a stream.

It said people would be able to access and enjoy the rewilded open space.

Parish council chairman Cllr Henry Harington said councillors would welcome suggestions on what equipment or facilities should be available and how to make the area attractive and safe for children in the village.