A HEREFORDSHIRE community group that makes its own cider has won awards for its products at an international competition.

The Houghton Project, based in Bodenham, near Leominster, won two awards at the prestigious International Cider and Perry competition, which took place at Hereford Cider Museum.

A total of 186 entries were received from 36 cidermakers from throughout England, Wales, Poland and the USA.

The community education project came top in the sweet cider category and second in the sweet perry category at the ceremony.

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James Hewitt, one of the young people who benefits from the work of the Houghton Project, played a major role in the production of the cider and was delighted with the result.

He said: "I couldn't believe it. I almost made everyone deaf when I shouted, 'we won!' as loud as I could."

The Houghton Project provide a wide range of rural craft activities, such as animal care, woodworking and cider production, to adults and young people who require more support in daily life and in their learning.

The setting, a large farm in Bodenham, promotes community building and helps to provide young people with a purpose and a way to learn practical life skills.

Rhian George, who helps with the community based project said: "The main aim of the Houghton Project is to be a space for people to meet new people and to find new skills that they didn't know they had.

"It gives the people we help a purpose and a feeling of community in a friendly, supportive environment.

"We're all really proud of both James and everyone who has been involved with winning the award.

"We tasted the cider this year and thought at the time that we had something a bit special, but we never would've thought that we would win such awards for it.

"It's a fantastic achievement for everybody and a great recognition for the hard work that everyone puts in to both the cider and to everything else here."

A spokesperson for the Houghton Project said: "Our success at the International Cider and Perry competition would not have happened were it not for other members of the Herefordshire Cider community.

"We would like to thank Tom Oliver of Oliver’s Cider and Perry for his help in the selection and planting of our orchard."