CIDER makers have raised a toast to golden success.

Westons Cider of Much Marcle, near Ledbury, emerged as the overall winner in the International Cider Challenge 2014 and scooped a number of other medals in the prestigious competition.

Their Henry Westons Vintage Perry won gold, while there was silver for Old Rosie cider and two bronzes for Henry Westons Vintage and Wyld Wood ciders.

Geoff Bradman, head of UK sales said: “The International Cider Challenge is an internationally recognised competition and we are delighted to have received awards for quality across our premium selection of ciders, particularly the gold medal for our Henry Westons Perry.”

Mr Bradman added: “We are absolutely committed to creating the very best quality cider, skilfully crafted by our resident master cider maker and we are delighted to be rewarded for our on-going passion for good quality ciders through these awards.

"Westons Cider has been lovingly crafted in Much Marcle for over 130 years.

"Throughout this time, we have never wavered in our commitment to making the very best quality traditional cider, with its characteristically rich style and flavour simply bursting with fruit.”

The gold medal winning Henry Westons Vintage Perry is a sparkling drink made using perry pears from the 2013 harvest and it is slowly matured in old oak vats to deliver a full bodied and smooth liquid, packed with fruit flavour and character.

The well-balanced drink has subtle fruit notes and fresh acidity, making it similar to wine in style.

Hogan's Cider, whose cider production is based at H & MH Weaver, in Castlemorton, near Malvern, also tasted gold medal success for their Hazy Daisy medium cider as well as scoring a silver for their Hogan's Medium Cider.

While Henny's Cider Co of Bishops Frome was awarded a silver for their Henney's Vintage Dry Cider.

The International Cider Challenge acknowledges the vast range of packaged products in the diverse and growing cider category.

Awards are given to the best ciders across various categories and blind-tasted by an expert panel of judges and assessed on their taste, appearance and aroma.