ROUNDABOUTS could be turned into bountiful orchards to improve the health of a Teesside town and ensure local children know where fruit comes from.

The mayor of Middlesbrough, Ray Mallon, has been inspired by an initiative devised by Manchester Council, and is looking to replicate it.

Thousands of fruit trees and bushes are to be planted in Manchester with an invitation for local people to help themselves.

Vegetable patches and beehives will also be set up as part of the £200,000 scheme.

Beehives are to be installed in a dozen parks and allotments by the citys council which fears local children don't know where fruit comes from.

Speaking at the Executive meeting on Wednesday, Mr Mallon said the sponsorship of floral roundabouts by businesses in Middlesbrough could decline due to the economic downturn.

"I don't know what a strawberry bush costs but it has got me thinking that there could be something in this and it could get results," he explained.

"If we got the right sort of fruit trees for our roundabouts it could link in to healthy eating."

The plans for Manchester unveiled last week involve putting fruit and nut trees or vegetable patches in each of the city's 135 parks and woods and planting 20,000 strawberry, raspberry and soft fruit bushes around the city.

If the pilot is successful, hives will be set up in all parks and council bosses say they may eventually produce "Manchester Council" honey and wax.