EVERY year nearly 70 million tonnes of apples are produced throughout the world firmly establishing the malus domestica – to give the apple its Latin name – as one of our favourite foods.

To celebrate our love for the humble fruit, East Cambridgeshire District Council and Watergull Orchards are organising the 12th Ely Apple Festival.

Visitors to Palace Green in Ely on Saturday between 10am-4pm will be able to take part in a whole host of events such as:

* Apple identification and display – experts will be on site capable of categorising the species of fruit simply by sight

* The longest peel competition, apple and spoon races and an apple shy

* There will also be a hog roast, apple related food from burgers to bangers served with applesauce and a wide selection of apple juices and ciders.

* A variety of stalls containing everything from rural crafts to live folk music and apple related wares for sale.

* There will be poetry recitals and Morris dancing as well as demonstrations of woodturning.

All these and many other activities are being put together to honour the great tradition of English apples.

Tracey Harding, team leader tourism and town centre services at East Cambridgeshire District Council, said: “Since we began celebrating the apple in Ely, our event has grown and grown to become one of regions best Apple Festivals. This is down to the huge support we receive from all the residents and visitors we have who bring along their apples to be identified, practice for the longest peel competition or simply come along to sample some of the wonderful food. It all goes to create a great atmosphere on the day.

“For many our event marks the beginning of autumn as we enjoy one last hurrah of wonderful fruit before we wrap up warm for the winter. So come on down to Palace Green, next week to see for yourself how great the English Apple is.”