TYDEMAN’S Early Worcester, Martin Worcester, Worcester Permain – our county has such a close association with apples that we have more varieties named after the county town than anywhere else in the UK.

Apples have been grown here for centuries and it is about time we all made more of that fact.

Apples are very much Britain’s national fruit – we eat more of them than any other fruit and have one of the highest levels of apple consumption per head of population anywhere in the world.

As I said in this column just a few weeks ago, this year’s apple crop is one of the tastiest ever – last winter’s cold spells meant that orchards lay dormant for longer, then the warm spring and early summer helped turn the higher amounts of starch into sugar.

The apples might be slightly smaller than usual but they are supremely tasty. So, to celebrate this wonderful fruit, head down to Angel Place, Worcester, tomorrow and enjoy a special apple festival farmers’ market.

There will be about 15 stalls, all of which will be, of course, local producers, promoting apples or apple-based products.

Visitors can pick up free samples of freshly-squeezed apple juice and enjoy entertainment from traditional dancing group Appleyard, who will perform at noon and 1pm.

The market itself is from 9am to 3pm.

Henry Wormington, of Vicarage Farm, Hanbury, near Droitwich, said: “I will be offering a wide selection of home-made sausages, including some made from apples. Other producers will be offering similar apple-themed goods on their stalls, so come along, enjoy the fun and celebrate our apples.”

If you can’t wait until tomorrow, don’t forget today’s farmers’ market is in Abbey Road, Malvern, from 9am until 2pm.

Next weekend’s market is at St Peter’s Garden Centre, Norton, near Worcester, on Saturday, October 23, from 9.30am until 2pm.