THE most traditional of Herefordshire fruit - the apple - will be the centre of attention this weekend.

The Big Apple is a celebration of apples in Herefordshire, run by a local community group made up of seven parishes around Much Marcle and Putley. The event is dedicated to supporting local apples and orchards. Institutions involved include primary school, the church, pubs, cidermakers and apple growers.

The festival first began 14 years ago, according to the voluntary secretary of The Big Apple Association, Jackie Denman.

"It started for British Food and Farming to bring together people who have an interest in apples in the area," she said.

"At the time apples were low on people's agenda. We've achieved an awful lot in raising awareness."

Visitors to the area tomorrow (Saturday) and Sunday can feast their eyes on a feast of apples at The Royal Oak, Much Marcle, which will be crammed with apples of all shapes and sizes, or enjoy apple teas at the village's Memorial Hall. Lyne Down Cider will be holding an open day from 10.30am to 5.30pm on both days, demonstrating the art of traditional cidermaking and serving up local pork and apple sausages.

Special walks, gourmet evenings, cycle rides and an autumn wassailing (drinking and making merry) are some of the other attractions over the two days.

Mrs Denman said that the apple was an integral part of Herefordshire and, despite an improvement in raising apple awareness over the years, more work has to be done.

"It's part of the tradition of the area," she said. "People are a lot more aware of the importance of it."

She said visitors to the area during the festival could expect to smell rooms full of apples.

"People are always taken aback by that, it's something you don't get a chance to do very often," she said. "All the people who are involved love doing it."