THE apple trees in four orchards in Porlock will be blessed as part of the annual tradition of wassailing on Saturday evening.

Villagers will come together for one of the county’s most colourful traditions to scare away evil spirits and ensure a good apple harvest in the autumn.

Starting at Dovery Manor Museum at 5.45pm, the traditional Mummers Play will be performed before the oldest tree in the museum’s orchard receives the first blessing.

A procession will then head to Sparkhayes Orchard and Porlock Visitor Centre Orchard before finishing up at Porlock Community Orchard, with the blessing and singing being performed at each orchard.

Anyone can take part and can join anywhere along the route but they are asked to bring a lantern or torch – plus saucepan lids, spoons or anything to make a noise.