PAGAN partygoers celebrated the ancient tradition of wassailing last Friday at National Trust Swan Barn Farm.

The torch-lit ceremony took place around the oldest orchard tree at the Collards Lane site, where it was toasted and traditional wassail songs were sung.

Head ranger David Elliott said: “ It was a great evening. Several hundred people came along to wassail with us.

“It was wonderful to see so many people come along to bless our orchards and wish them luck and bounty for the coming seasons.

“We are very proud of our apple trees. It is so important our community is involved in looking after them – without people helping to pick and process the apples, sponsor trees and get involved in looking after them, orchards just don’t have a future.

“Our orchard felt vibrant and alive on Friday night.”