A CIDER maker in Kingsbury Episcopi has been awarded the Bath and West Gold Medal for lifetime services to the industry.

Julian Temperley was credited for having reintroduced cider distilling to England after a 300-year break.

He received the accolade from the Duchess of Cornwall as the cider and orchards section again proved tobe one of the more attractions of the show.

Julian owns Burrow Hill Farm where he grows 40 apple varieties on 170 acres.

He began cider making more than 40 years ago but has been one of the driving forces behind the move to rehabilitate and reinvent a drink which was once looked on as little more than a cheap route to hangover.

At the end of the 80s he started distilling, and his Somerset Cider Brandy is now sold around the world.

He has added an apple aperitif, Kingston Black and Somerset Pomona, an apple-based alternative to a dessert wine.

He said it was probably for his efforts to improve cider’s image that he was nominated for the award.