ORGANISERS of this year's community apple day have labelled the event a "resounding success".

The ninth apple day at Bridport Community Orchard was held on Saturday (15) - with crowds turning out to enjoy the annual celebration.

There was a wide range of activities on offer for all ages groups, ranging from fun activities and pond dipping for children to freshly pressed apple juice for everyone to enjoy.

Entertainment was provided by Wyld Morris while musicians including David Powell, Mitch Norman and David Squirrel's Yellow Room performed at the event.

Martin Maudsley’s story telling was also a popular attraction, and grabbed the attention of children and adults alike. A range of stalls selling pickled onions, ploughman’s lunches and cider added further interest to the mix - while lunches were served by members of Walditch WI.

Paul Arthur, secretary of the Bridport Community Orchard committee, thanked volunteers for helping organise and run the event.

He said: "This year's apple day was a resounding success.

"Several hundred people turned out to benefit from a wonderfully warm sunny morning, to enjoy the annual celebration of the apple. Fortunately, the predicted heavy rain held off until the end of the celebrations.

"The successful event would not be possible without the help and hard work provided by a large dedicated band of volunteers, and the very kind offerings from our donors and sponsors, that included Ford Farms, Elwell Fruit Farm, and Groves Nurseries. The Walditch WI did sterling work providing refreshments."

The community orchard was set up in 2008 as a public green space, owned by West Dorset District Council, leased by Bridport Town Council, and managed in partnership with the Bridport Community Orchard Group (BCOG).

The orchard is freely available for everyone to enjoy informally, and also for public events organised either by the orchard group, or other local groups.

The BCOG holds monthly working days to care for the orchard, usually on the second Sunday of the month. The next event will be held on Sunday, November 13.

For more information, please visit bridportcommunityorchard.org.uk