PUMPKINS aplenty, apples, chutneys, unique gifts and a whole host of other wares were on offer at an autumn-themed festival in Martley on Saturday.

The Chantry School hosted its ‘Autumntastic’ event, which started out as the Apple Fest, a celebration of the harvest and of seasonal produce grown in the village.

There were various traditional English apples on show as well as apple pressing and juicing.

Dozens of stalls selling a variety of crafts, gifts and preserves as well as pumpkin carving, apple bobbing, musical entertainment, a basketball event with the Worcester Wolves Youth Academy, and a hog roast.

Festival organiser Caroline Palethorpe said: “Really, the event used to be very much about apples but we decided, as there are so many apple festivals, to become more of an autumn-tastic celebration.”

Stallholder Diane Truman said: “It is very good. There is a great variety of goods and activities to do.”

Stallholder Gloria Lawrence, of Love Lavender, based in Kidderminster, said: “It is fabulous. There was a girl singing and the lady next door to us said ‘look at that girl’ – I didn’t think it was someone singing live – it was that good I thought it was a recording.”

Heather Rendall, who has an orchard nearby, said: “I love it – I grew all these fruits and so you get to do something with it.”

She added that she had helped the students with their apple project.

Team Manager for Worcester Wolves Academy Emma Gardner said: “We have got children who go here. A couple of the mums asked if we could get involved. It is a good thing for the community.”

Stallholder Picklelady Lynn Mann said: “It is a lovely event – I love everything to do with autumn.”