APPRENTICESHIPS in cider-making and orchard care are being offered at Yeovil College after a two-year trial in Herefordshire and Shropshire College’s Holme Lacy Campus was hailed a success.

The aim of the trial was “to address a skills gap”.

Yeovil College in Somerset will now offer cider apprenticeships for 2014-2016.

There are expected to be about 16 places on the course.

A spokesperson for the Cider & Perry Orchards Network of Excellence said: “The scheme has been so successful that it will be rolled out. Globally sales of high quality British cider has never been stronger – there has never been a better time to join the cider and orchard industry."

There are 17,300 acres of cider apple orchards in the UK.