THE juicer was working overtime when villagers in Porlock staged their first apple day after launching a new community orchard.

A group of enthusiasts has brought new life to a neglected orchard just off the Toll Road.

And last Saturday the village celebrated its new found interest with an event that featured a range of homemade apple-based produce, as well as cider tasting and folk singing.

Visitors were also able to take advantage of a free juicing service, using their own windfalls or picked fruit from their gardens or the community orchard.

"The juicer was going all day," said Denise Sage, manager of the Porlock Visitor Centre which hosted the event.

"The apple day was a great success and we raised £225. It was fabulous and we were thrilled to bits with the response," she said.

"Raising money wasn't the main aim of the day but it will come in very useful for things that are needed at the orchard, like an apple store."

The orchard had lain virtually untouched for the past 20 years before being transformed in a project that got underway earlier this year.

After clearing the area and putting up deer fences and gates, members of the Porlock Village Orchard group staged the first 'village picking' from the 22 trees last month.

Keith Ward, on the left, and Jeff Cox are pictured delivering the apple juice.

Photo: Steve Guscott