THE colours, tastes and smells of Herefordshire's most famous fruit will be celebrated in Leominster next week.

Apple Week takes place from October 8 to 15 with activities on offer including apple pressing, a walk, talk and film – culminating with Leominster's 18th Apple Fair at the Priory Church.

The week begins with community apple pressing on Saturday, October 8, from 10am to 12noon in Corn Square alongside the monthly Farmers Market, when everyone can bring along fruit to press for juice or cider.

Then on Tuesday, October 11, local historian Peter Holliday will give an illustrated talk on 'Markets, Monks and Monarchs: the Leominster story' at 7.30pm at Grange Court.

Pete Blench will lead a walk called 'Fruit trees in an urban landscape' on Wednesday, October 12. It meets at 10am in Corn Square, will last approximately two hours and will cost £3. Tickets are available at the Leominster Tourist Information Centre.

On Thursday, October 13, the film 'Five Fruit Trees make an Orchard' will be shown at the Community Centre.

It explores orchard value by comparing seventeenth century and contemporary perspectives with the help of people with learning disabilities and will be introduced by Dr David Marshall, associate of the Bulmer Foundation.

He will be joined by some of those involved in the Orchard Art project, with the event starting at 7pm for a 7.30pm showing.

The finale, organised by the Green Party, takes place on Saturday, October 15, from 10am to 4pm at The Priory Church.

The Apple Fair celebrates local food and drink, and the wide variety of apples the county has.

There will be apple identification, advice and information, food and craft stalls, displays, tastings, demonstrations, competitions, children’s activities and refreshments.

Entertainment will be provided by the Clifton Handbells, the Jenny Pipes Morris and Leominster Ukelele Band.