APPLE growers are facing an uncertain future as they consider the implications of the HP Bulmer takeover.

Brewing giant Scottish and Newcastle announced it had agreed the terms of a £280m buy-out of the Hereford company yesterday.

The Edinburgh-based firm said it had given "certain assurances" to maintain the future of cider production in Hereford and keep the close links Bulmers had with apple growers and the local community.

But the company's suppliers are being left to guess how Bulmers will change under its new owner.

Ray Edwardes, of Stocken House Farm, Pershore, said everything was up in the air at the moment.

"It's a great shame," he said. "Bulmers has been an excellent company for the 25 years I've supplied them.

"They've taken everything I've sent them, and they've given a first class, free orchard-managing service."

But Mr Edwardes hoped the takeover would lead to the return of earlier payment to suppliers.

"At the moment, our payment is spread over six or seven months," he said. "We won't get fully paid for this year's crop until June 2004.

"The new owners might bring it back to paying us within months."

Former Bulmers supplier Colin Broomfield, of Broomfield Farm Shop in Holt Heath, said Scottish and Newcastle should promote Bulmers as a quality British brand.

"The biggest threat is the undercutting of the UK market with imports from Eastern European countries like Poland," he said.

"Their overheads are much lower, so they can produce apples much cheaper than we can.

"The new people should make it a strong British brand. I think there would be a demand for it.

"If people knew they were buying a quality product and supporting British farming, I think they would be prepared to pay for it."

A S&N spokesman would not reveal any details of the company's plans for the future of Bulmers.