Guns were fired and evil spirits chased away as villagers and visitors took part in Priston's annual wassailing celebrations.

The ancient pagan tradition takes place around Old Twelfth Night, on January 17, and is supposed to ensure a bumper harvest from the apple orchards.

The celebrations were led by the Priston Jubilee Morris, who headed the procession from the village green to Barnstable's orchard.

Seven-year-old Maya Pi was crowned Wassail Queen and carried out the tradition of putting toast in the tree to feed the good spirts and pouring cider around the tree for them to drink.

Then it was a case of making as much noise as possible to frighten away the bad spirits – a task which those taking part in the event rose to admirably. Two shot guns were also fired to make sure the bad spirits were left in no doubt that they should leave.

Following the pagan rites, the village rector, the Rev Chris Hare, gave a Christian blessing before the wassail cup was passed around for villagers to drink from.

Organiser John Wilkinson said the event had been a blast.

"We are definitely in for a bumper crop of apples this year!" he said.