CORBETT Farms in Shobdon, celebrated its biggest ever pick-your-own event recently as more than 100 locals turned out at the Ribena Big Berry Bash.

Activities on offer included pick-your-own, farm tours, harvesting demonstrations, a hog roast and garden games, all in the name of the blackcurrant harvest which kicks off in July when the berries are juicy enough to pick.

Visitors also saw first-hand how the 1,200-acre farm has worked with Ribena to protect local wildlife, protecting special habitats on their farms which protect threatened native species such as barn owls, yellow hammers, grey partridges, bees and woodpeckers.

Third generation blackcurrant grower, Richard Corbett comments: "People came out in full force this weekend and we couldn't believe the amount of interest in our blackcurrants.

"Few people enjoying a Ribena realise that its hero ingredient is actually grown right on their doorstep, not least the amount of work that goes on behind the scenes to ensure we're growing blackcurrants in the most sustainable way possible."

Bill Wiggin MP for North Herefordshire who was also in attendance, adds: "Herefordshire's agricultural heritage is an important part of our community, so I'm delighted the local community was offered a behind-the-scenes look at the blackcurrant harvest at this year's Big Berry Bash.

"2.5k tonnes of blackcurrants are grown in Herefordshire each year and it's amazing to see the important steps Richard and the other Ribena blackcurrant growers are taking to protect the wildlife on their farms.

"Richard's commitment to farming in the most sustainable way possible speaks volumes about why Herefordshire and Ribena continue to enjoy a fruitful relationship which spans more than eight decades."

Once picked, the blackcurrants are sent to Somerset to be pressed before heading to the Lucozade Ribena Suntory factory in Gloucestershire to be made into Ribena.

It's in the factory's giant cold store where around 20,000 litres of blackcurrant concentrate are stored before it's refilled with next year's fruit crop.

Visit lrsuntory.com/sustainability/biodiversity/

for more information about Ribena and its blackcurrant growers.