Following the driest conditions in Somerset for nearly 90 years, cider makers have started harvesting apples to make the county's most famous drink. 

Thatchers Cider, based in Sandford, has begun work to create its variety of ciders from apples grown on Myrtle Farm.

More than 500 acres of trees help to create Thatchers signature flavours, such as Katy and Gold. 

Apples have enjoyed the extreme heat in recent months, creating a 'perfect' diet for the fruit. 

Thatchers also has a regular orchard planting programme, having already planted some 15,000 trees every year for the last decade – more than any other British cider maker.

Richard Johnson, head cider maker, said: "Whilst us humans have been enjoying a pint of refreshing cider during the heatwave, the apples too have been benefitting from the warmth.

"One of the important things we look at when we plant new trees is when they fruit, to make sure that the arrival of apples is spread out throughout the season.

"We press our apples as soon as they arrive at the farm to capture them at their freshest – we don’t want them hanging around and losing flavour."