AN ancient English tradition to ward off evil spirits and encourage a good cider apple harvest has been revived in Porlock.

Denise Sage from the village's visitor centre hopes resurrecting the wassail will boost tourism in the village.

Porlock's wassail saw a procession head through the village from the Dover Manor Museum carrying saucepans and spoons to make a noise.

The group of about 40 people ended at the visitor centre where a shotgun was fired to ward off evil spirits.

Chris de Vere Hunt, who was crowned the festival queen, said: “The wassail is really to encourage nature to do its thing.

“It was perfect weather for this time of year, it wasn't too cold and it was dry.

“It was a great start and it really encouraged us to come back next year.”

Chris also wrote a song, which has become the official Porlock Wassail song.

At the new community orchard, trees were blessed and cider was poured on the ground to make the plants grow.

Mulled apple cider and apple cake was served and cider-soaked toast placed in the trees was used to encourage robins to visit.