THE sights and smells of the Big Apple drew in visitors from across the UK.

However, the bright lights of New York City were far from the minds of those visiting The Big Apple weekend - a celebration of the fruit that helps make Herefordshire famous.

Apples, cider and everything pomme-related were on show around the parishes of Much Marcle, Little Marcle, Aylton, Munsley, Pixley, Putley and Woolhope.

The festival, now in its 14th year, was held to promote local apples and orchards and involved schools, the church, pubs, cidermakers and growers.

Jackie Denman, secretary of organisers The Big Apple Association, said: "It went extremely well.

"We had lots of people on Saturday, when it was sunny, and lots of people who braved the weather on Sunday and still managed to have a great time."

Mrs Denman said visitors had travelled from as far away as Yorkshire to attend a variety of events including tastings at The Royal Oak, Much Marcle, and the village's Memorial Hall, as well as open days at Weston's and Lyne Down Cider.

"It also benefits some organisations who raise funds from those visitors. Much Marcle Church and the primary school PTA both did very well," said Mrs Denman. "The people who are trading commercially, the cider makers and apple growers, make a lot of sales, as do the pubs and bed and breakfasts. It also encourages people to use apples and plant trees in new orchards."

The association's next event takes place over the weekend of May 4 and 5, 2003, in Putley.