CIDER-makers are planting thousands of new apple trees in Worcestershire and Herefordshire to cope with a surge in demand from drinkers.

Both HP Bulmer and Westons Cider have decided to increase their production capacity so they will be able to satisfy consumers' thirst.

Westons Cider is investing £8 million in developing its site at Much Marcle, near Ledbury, while HP Bulmer has announced plans to plant 400,000 new trees on about 1,200 acres of land owned by contracted farmers across the two counties. The move came after cider providers across the country were said to be stuggling to meet demand after a poor harvest caused by bad weather last year.

Fenella Tyler, spokeswoman for Hereford-based HP Bulmer - which produces Strongbow, Woodpecker and Scrumpy Jack, among others - said the company had produced about Orchards saved by demand for cider from page one 13,000 tonnes of apples less than it would have liked.

She said: "There is a bit of a shortage but what we do know is that following a bad year the following year produces more. It's been a bit hands-in-mouth this year but next year we are expecting about 105,000 tonnes of fruit which will bring us back in line."

Despite the shortage, she said sales had gone up by about 20 per cent.

Meanwhile, a Westons Cider spokeswoman said its new production hall would treble production of Stowford Press, Old Rosie and perries.

"Our particular sales have increased over the last two years by more than 40 per cent a year which is well above the average for the cider category," she said. "They are phenomenal figures we are experiencing at the moment."

Chris Brookes, a member of the Worcester branch of the Campaign for Real Ale, said the popularity of cider was good news for farmers.

He said: "Some smaller cider producers grow for companies like Bulmers as well so they are getting better prices for their apple crop. They're selling more fruit at higher prices because there is much more demand for it."

That demand is being experienced in pubs, but Dave Foreman, manager of the Oak Apple Inn, Spetchley Road, Worcester, said cider sales do depend on the weather.

"We noticed sales in winter and autumn went down a bit," he said.

"In the spring and summer a lot of people like to drink cider with ice because it's a bit more refreshing than lager probably. I have been drinking cider with ice for about 15 years and I have certainly seen a change in people's tastes towards cider."

Although much of the increased popularity of cider can be attributed to trendy brands such as Magners, which is made in Ireland, Kim Cowling, landlord of the Cricketers in Angel Street, Worcester, said more traditional ciders had also profited.

"We have had Thatchers in for about 15 months and that is going really well," she said.

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