STAFF at Westons Cider Mill joined with locals to take part in the ancient ritual of wassailing.

The Silurian Border Morrismen performed a traditional wassailing dance on January 4 and led people into the orchards by torchlight for the ceremony, which blesses the trees and asks for a good harvest for the coming year.

Helen Thomas, managing director of the Much Marcle mill, said: β€œAt Westons we pride ourselves on our strong ties with the traditions and heritage of our brand. Wassailing has been celebrated at Westons for many years and is a key event celebrated in the local community every January. Lets hope the Wassail is effective and brings us a great harvest in 2014.”