A HIGHBRIDGE woman whose late grandfather was on the beaches of Normandy on D-Day said she will be paying tribute to Second World War heroes on VE Day from the cider farm he created.

The coronavirus pandemic means this year's commemorations for the 75th anniversary of VE Day on Friday, May 8 have had to be cancelled or moved online.

But Jan Scott, granddaughter of Gordon William Rich, said the lockdown will not stop her from honouring the memory of her grand-father.

Mr Rich, from Nether Stowey, was born in 1924 and was called up to serve in the Second World War and served in the Royal Engineers.

He drove heavy goods vehicles during the war and was on the beaches of Normandy in France on D-Day.

In 1953, eight years after the war Mr Rich bought the Mill Farm at Watchfield near Highbridge, which is now known as Rich's Cider Farm and began producing Somerset cider.

He died in 1998 and the family-run cider farm was taken over by Jan, who has continued producing cider with the help of her husband, Brian, her daughter Molly and her son, George.

Speaking about VE Day, Jan said: "It is important to commemorate all that lost their lives in the Second World War.

"We’re celebrating by looking over old photos and as a family raising a glass of Rich’s Cider to my grandad who started the family business in 1954, and all those who served for our country.

"He brought the Mill farm at Watchfield near Highbridge, now known as Rich’s cider farm in 1953.

"I've continued to run the family business since Gordon passed away 22 years ago with my husband Brian, my daughter Molly and my son George.

"Like so many people he didn’t like talking about the war, as children we used to ask him things but he didn’t like to talk about it.

"We will always remember him."