PRIMARY schools in Weymouth and Dorchester will be planting a new orchard and have learned life lessons in road safety thanks to a charitable donation.

Battens Charitable Trust, set up in 1985, has awarded a record £95,065 to local community initia-tives and worthy causes.

Support went to Radipole Primary School in Weymouth with £400 through the Dorset Gardens Trust for a new orchard.

Hundreds of young children have also received life-saving lessons in road safety in an £18,000 initiative with local schools and the Weymouth-based Safewise education partnership, including pupils at Sticklands Primary School in Evershot.

Ray Edwards, Battens director and one of the trustees, said: “We were delighted to be able to give our highest-ever amount to worthy charities and good causes over the past year.

“Actively supporting them helps create a better community for us all.

“Our thanks go to everyone who has supported the trust and its activities.”

Beneficiaries in Dorset also included the Tiny Terras youth football team in Weymouth, which received a stylish new kit, and Julia’s House children’s hospice, presented with £1,000.

Battens Solicitors has offices in Dorchester, Sherborne, Weymouth and Yeovil, and the trust has distributed some £500,000 in the last 30 years.