Despite the frost in May causing concern that orchards might be bare this autumn, the summer rain has meant that orchards are full of apples.

Orchards on the Killerton estate in Devon are currently bursting with apples and the National Trust rangers and volunteers have been busy harvesting them in time for their annual cider and apple festival on Saturday October 14 and Sunday October 15.

Andy Bramwell from the National Trust said: "A frost in May is bad news for fruit trees. Their flowers literally get nipped in the bud by the cold, which means they aren’t as productive and there might be less apples for the autumn harvest."

But the local varieties of apples unique to the area such as Killerton Sweet, Killerton Sharp and Star of Devon enjoyed all the summer soakings.

Mr Bramwell explained: "The apple trees drank up all the rain that made the summer one to forget, helping them produce a bumper crop of apples that will be one to remember."

Killerton has more than 50 acres of traditional orchards which are home to 98 different varieties of apple trees.

Each year cider is hand-made by volunteers using a 200 year old cider press.

As the last apples are collected, the National Trust invites visitors to the Killerton cider and apple festival to celebrate the harvest, enjoy the cider and raise awareness of the conservation of the traditional orchards on the estate.

Visitors can bring their own apples to press into juice, witness the 200 year old press in action, try archery, and enjoy children’s activities, magic and juggling, family trails and live music.

The festival takes place on Saturday October 14 and Sunday October 15, opening at 10am until 5pm. Adult entry costs £6, and children £3. National Trust members and under 5’s are free.