Thatchers Cider is celebrating its 120th harvest at Myrtle Farm in Somerset.

The company says the wet weather this summer has produced some of the juiciest apples in recent years.

Chris Muntz-Torres, Thatchers’ orchard manager, explained: "The mix of weather we’ve seen—plenty of rain followed by bursts of warm sunshine—has been exactly what our apples needed.

"It’s helped the fruit ripen slowly and develop the perfect balance of sweetness and acidity, ready to be pressed into our award-winning ciders."

(Image: Thatchers Cider) Martin Thatcher, fourth generation cider maker, added: "The warmer weather mixed with the moisture in the deep, rich Somerset soil gave the trees a perfect environment to produce our traditional bittersweet varieties.

"The rain has been a blessing for the trees, while the late summer sun has boosted the fruit’s natural sugars, giving our ciders their distinctive depth and character."

This year’s harvest also sees the fifth generation of the Thatcher family taking a leadership role, with Eleanor Thatcher joining the board of directors.

Martin Thatcher said: "With Eleanor joining the leadership team, we’re excited about the future.

"She brings new ideas and energy, but we’ll always stay true to the values and passion that have been handed down through generations."