THOUSANDS of people flocked to the annual Blackmoor apple-tasting day last Sunday.

The Woolmer Forest Lions, who were in charge of car parking at Blackmoor Estate, had their work cut out, directing the hundreds of vehicles pouring into the grounds. But everyone got parked and it was only a short walk to the event.

The Blackmoor Estate is hoping proceeds will top last year’s £10,000 which goes to charity.

This year’s favourite apples, Norfolk Royal Russet and Sweetie, were a combination of old and new varieties. Estate experts were kept busy identifying the 150 apples taken to the event by the public, curious to know what fruits were growing in their gardens.

As well as an array of fruit, the apple day offered the chance to try two of the estate’s ciders.

For youngsters, there was tree climbing and horse and carriage rides, while Morris dancers enhanced the rustic feel of the day.

There were craft and other stalls, many run by charities. One intriguing attraction, The Labyrinth, run by Polly Ravenscroft, was a small green, maze which had a calming effect on those walking round it.

The apple-tasting day, the 45th in the estate’s history, was the first to be held since Blackmoor Estate Ltd was fined £75,000 and ordered to pay £30,000 prosecution costs, in July, after it pleaded guilty to three offences that contravened regulations under the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974, following the deaths of Scott Cain, 23, from Whitehill, and Ashley Clarke, 24, from Liss.

Mr Cain and Mr Clarke died in February 2013 after entering a oxygen-depleted apple-storage unit.