The British cider being produced for gift hampers this year could be among the best in recent memory as a bumper crop is expected when many new varieties are harvested.

According to the National Association of Cider Makers (NACM), Friday (September 2nd) saw the harvest get underway and over the next ten weeks around 200,000 tonnes of apples will be picked.

The UK produces more than 130 million gallons of cider annually, with the beverage accounting for half the country's apples and 13 per cent of adults drinking it at least once a month.

Increasing demand has resulted in many new orchards being planted and 29 new types of the fruit will be used for the first time this year.

Spokesman for the NACM Gabe Cook said: "We are expecting a good harvest and we are especially pleased to see new orchards being harvested after the investment in planting and the time it takes to establish a new orchard.''