CIDER producers say there could be a shortage of the gold stuff this summer because the waterlogged ground is killing apple tree roots.

Dymock cider producer Charles Martell fears he could lose up to a third of his apple trees.

He has around 250 apple trees on his farm, including 106 different indigenous varieties. But he is worried he may lose some of them forever.

Mr Martell said: "I can't believe this has happened. After the drought last year we nearly lost 10 per cent of the trees. But with the waterlogged ground it's almost like potato blight. "The roots rot if they are left in water for a long time. I could end up losing up to a third of my trees."

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