Traditional wassail returns to Carhampton next Tuesday (January 17) at both The Butcher’s Arms Inn and the village apple orchard.

Traditional cider maker and folk lore enthusiast Roland Husebo said: “This is the first time for many years the traditional wassail has been celebrated in Carhampton's centuries-old apple orchard and our pub which has a new landlord."

The ancient ceremony, held to ensure a good apple crop, begins around 6.30pm in the orchard where shotguns will be fired into the higher branches to drive away evil spirits.

With the same intention, good spirits will be encouraged by placing toast soaked in cider in the lower branches.

To keep up the spirits of wassail celebrants Roland will be serving his distinctive home-made mulled cider.

From 7.30 pm at The Butcher’s Arms local bards will recite and sing ancient wassail verses accompanied by local folk musicians.