EVIL spirits were frightened away from Buckland Abbey Orchard at the weekend, at the annual wassail event.

Around 100 people attended the traditional ceremony, held to drive away bad spirits and ensure a good apple crop for the year.

The Lodestone Border Morris side provided entertainment, singing and dancing in the Abbey's Great Barn and later in the orchard, and there was even a chance for the audience to get involved.

A wassail queen was picked from the crowd of visitors, who put a slice of toast into the branches of the trees, to bribe the birds not to peck at the buds, and poured cider over the roots to feed the tree.

Visitors were encouraged to bang drums and pans to make noise to wake the apple trees and scare away the evil spirits.

The National Trust provided a barbecue with pork and apple sausages and cider cakes.

Lodestone meet Thursdays 8-10pm, Kings, Pixon Lane Tavistock.

Tel: 01822 610412

for more details.