Another new orchard has been planted in Somerset to help meet the country's insatiable and growing demand for cider.

But it will be a year or two before anyone gets their hands on a tasty pint of its output.

Fifteen acres of prime farmland have been planted with traditional cider varieties at Puxton Park, the farm-based visitor attraction near Weston-super-Mare, which has just celebrated its third birthday.

Within a few years the owners hope to add a cider-making feature to the range of rural crafts the centre already showcases.

Managing director Alastair Mead said the land had previously been managed as a cider orchard.

"It was part of the site which we acquired when we built the centre, though the trees were well past their best," he said.

"Part of our plan here is to grow fruit and vegetables to supply our shop and restaurant but instead of plough up the land we decided to regenerate the orchard so that eventually we shall be able to produce our own cider."

The area has been replanted with traditional varieties such as Kingston Black – regarded as the finest of all cider apples – and Morgan Sweet, a favourite variety in North Somerset, where its early-maturing cider was traditionally drunk with the quickly maturing cheese Somerset producers made with the surplus summer milk.