RESIDENTS of Hebden were joined by a band of traditional Wassailers to bless the village's newly planted community orchard.

The Jolly Wassailers sang and guided the villagers in the ancient ways of blessing the trees with cider and bread and plenty of singing, before decamping to The Clarendon pub for more singing and celebratory cider consumption.

The wassailers were led by Mark Bamforth with Wassail Queen Alison Ainge carrying out the watering - or cidering - of an apple tree.

More than 40 fruit trees were planted in the village last month with the help of Lee Johnson and team from the Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority. It was made possible thanks to a grant from Tarmac's Swinden Quarry, Linton.

Tarmac supports projects that will benefit the local community, through sponsorship and donations, either directly or through the Tarmac Landfill Communities Fund.