THE creation of a traditional Cumbrian orchard and a new all-access boardwalk could be made possible by local people voting in-store at Tesco’s in Ambleside, Kendal and Bowness-on-Windermere this week.

Two Cumbrian environmental projects are up for the chance to win either £12,000, £10,000 or £8,000, from money raised from the 5p bag charge, in a public vote being held until Sunday, March 6.

Votes for ‘Foulshaw Moss Nature Reserve’, near Witherslack, would enable 125 metres of new all-access boardwalk to be installed, creating a new trail for people of all levels of mobility in an area that cannot currently be accessed.

The money would also pay for a high-quality telescope on-site year-round for people visiting the nature reserve to use.

By voting for ‘Gosling Sike Farm’ located at Houghton, Carlisle, Cumbria Wildlife Trust hopes to create and improve a range of new wildlife habitats.

Plans at the farm include a new traditional orchard, planted with local fruit varieties and events such as an apple day.

The existing woodland, Tarraby Woods, will be under planted with native wild flowers such as wood anemone, herb Robert, wild garlic and bluebell and a new hedgerow will be created which will include plants such as hawthorn, blackthorn, hazel, dog rose, crab apple, holly and rowan.