Eric Pickles, the Communities Secretary, who has a potted plum tree on the balcony of his office in Westminster, said: "The powers we are putting in the hands of communities will make it easier to transform unloved corners of towns, cities and villages into thriving green spaces, help local people protect the orchards already there and access the land needed to establish new ones."

The new official Community Orchards Guide, which is billed as an "example of [the] Big Society in action", offers ways to help local people get started, including details of available grants.

Orchards have been identified as a "priority habitat" in the UK's Biodiversity Action Plan because of the insects, birds, bees and mammals they help to support.