NEARLY 900 visitors enjoyed a day out at Winterbourne Medieval Barn when it hosted activities at its annual orchard harvest day.

Families watched cider being made, cheered on racing ferrets and learnt about traditional skills such as dry stone walling, as well as getting close to a collection of animals.

The cider was made in the original way, with apples crushed with the use of a horse-drawn stone mill before being put through a Victorian wooden cider press.

Visitors had the chance to taste the resulting apple juice, along with cider that had been made previously, while Gloucester Old Spot pigs tucked into the apple pomace - the pulp left after the juice had been squeezed out.

Matthew, the horse that powered the crush, was popular with children, who also enjoyed seeing a group of llamas and a variety of geese, ducks and calves.

Members of the Winterbourne Down Border Morris team entertained the crowds, while craftsmen and women carved wood, spun wool and made straw dolls.

The Winterbourne Medieval Barn Trust is currently trying to raise £3,600 to buy the stone cider mill that was in use on the day so it can be kept permanently at the barn.

Cider making was an important activity on farms in the area and it was customary for farm workers to be given cider as part of their wages.