Bosses on an East Hampshire estate have enjoyed some rich pickings as this year’s harvest will be the cherry on the top of a hugely successful year.

The Blackmoor Estate is usually associated with apples and pears with their annual tasting event in October being a core attraction.

But they also grow cherries – and this year’s harvest could be their best ever as the warmest spring on UK record has produced their biggest and best to date.

Infact, the conditions have been so perfect that major retailers like Tesco have eschewed imports in favour of British-grown cherries like those from Blackmoor.

The unusually dry spring meant cherry season began earlier than usual on July 2 with the six-week season – again, longer than usual - finishing last Friday.

This year’s varieties have included Vanda, Lapin, Korida, and the bright red Penny. Each and every cherry was hand-picked fresh from the trees at the orchard.

And customers to their farm shop have been seeing red, with Blackmoor-produced cherry cider, jam and chutney flying off the shelves.

With the end of cherry season comes another bumper harvest, as the apples the estate is known for are ripe for picking with another excellent crop expected.

“It has been a great year for cherries as they’re much heavier, much sweeter and juicier,” said a spokesperson for the estate between Whitehill, Longmoor and Selborne.

“This down to the hot weather we have been having this year which is ideal for the fruits to grow.

“As cherry season finishes we move into Apple harvesting season, starting with our Discovery Apples and the weather has benefited the growth of apples as well.

“Our harvesting season will take us all the way through till Christmas, this year.”

This year’s Apple Tasting event will take place on October 12 with the taproom open every Friday.