IT was a truly amazing Devon County Show this year - but it could not have been better for one local business!

Sandford Orchards, of Crediton, run by Barny Butterfield and his family, took all the top awards in the Show’s Cider competitions.

It included Two Bronze, Two Silver, Three Gold, Reserve Champion and the Supreme Champion in the Cider Awards.

What makes it even more special is that all of their winning ciders have been made with unknown apple varieties that they have discovered whilst working with the University of Bristol using cutting-edge DNA fingerprinting techniques to uncover and preserve lost local cider apple cultivars. 

Owner and Chief Cidermaker, Barny Butterfield and his sons received the cup from the Show President, the Chef Michael Caines MBE DL, on day two of the Show.

Barny said: “This is the oldest cider competition in the county, we win this by bringing back to the public cider made with once loved varieties.”