ORCHARDISTS in Sale have won money in a Dragons’ Den-style orchard event.

Emma Dobson, Janet Plumb and Rachel Evans from The Friends of Moor Nook Park, pitched to a group of Dragons and their 20 competitors about the work they do at the park, in a bid to win funds to improve their annual Apple Day celebrations.

Apple Day takes place every October to champion the nation’s apple growing tradition.

The trio won £400 that they are going to use to secure funds for a cycle-powered apple press and fruit dehydrator to use on Apple Day at their soon to be established community orchard at Moor Nook Park.

A team of local mums and other volunteers have been fundraising to purchase 17 pear and apple trees to create an orchard at Moor Nook that local people can be a part of.

Rachel Evans, event coordinator of Friends of Moor Nook Park said: “Moor Nook Park is somewhat of a neglected space that is crying out for improvement, so a group of us locals have taken it upon ourselves to turn it into somewhere we can be proud of, where people can enjoy being outdoors, learn about nature, socialise together and generally feel part of a community.”

“We’re delighted to say that although they were scary, the Dragons took a bite and offered us some money to help our Apple Day plan. We’re really looking forward to our own Apple Day celebrations.”

As well as pitching to win the cash the group also attended workshops at the event and got invited along to other orchards in the area.

The event took place at Parrs Wood Rural Studies Centre in Didsbury and was a part of Helping Britain Blossom project. A mission which aims to plant and restore community orchards across Britain.

Leader of the Greater Manchester Helping Britain Blossom project, Dan Hasler, came up with the idea as part of an ambitious plan to ensure Mancunians are no more than 30 minutes away from an Apple Day event in the autumn.

Apple Day at Moor Nook Park will take place on October 8.