HEREFORDSHIRE apple growers and cider makers will be the focus of international attention at a festival to celebrate the fruit's unique place in the community.

A party of Spanish cider makers will be among the visitors to Blossomtime, a community celebration of apples and apple growing centred around Putley.

The event, part of The Big Apple promotion at Marcle Ridge, runs from tomorrow (Saturday) to Bank Holiday Monday.

Cider makers will meet in competition tomorrow at Putley Village Hall.

Visitors include a party of 25 from northern Spain, who will then go on to tour Dragon Orchard, which has been in the same family for more than 70 years. They will return to the village hall to present the 2003 cider and perry awards.

On Sunday, the group moves on to Hereford's Cider Museum and Weston's Cider, in Much Marcle, before returning to Putley.

A cider tradition in Spain is to pour from a jug as far away from the receiving glass as possible. A demonstration of this can been seen during The Big Tasting event at 5pm on Sunday.

Weston's and Lyne Down Cider, in Much Marcle, will be open to the public.

In Aylton, on Sunday and Monday, from 11am to 5pm, the church will be decorated with flowers, three local gardens will be open and there will be an art exhibition, including a chance to see sculptor David Walker at work. Admission is £2, children free. The Big Tasting is at Putley Village Hall from 2pm to 6pm on Sunday and noon and 5pm on Monday. Cider, perry and apple juice is available to taste. Six tokens are £1.50 on the door.

On Sunday, at 1pm, there will be a guided walk through the orchards and fields, starting from Putley Village Hall. This is £1 for adults, free for children. The walk will be repeated at 10.30am on Monday. At 3pm, there will be a talk on meadmaking with tastings at Dragon Orchard, Putley. Admission is £2.

On Monday, lunches will be available from noon in the village hall while Leominster Morris celebrate their 20th birthday with a dance. At 3pm, there will be talk at Dragon Orchard on its crop-sharing scheme. Further afield, Little Verzons Fruit Farm will be open and in Ledbury, Mrs Muffins Teashop will be using recipes from the Big Apple book.

For more information, ring 01531 670544. Big Apple celebrations continue in October, focusing on cider-making and fruit displays.