The chairman of Sandford cider makers Thatchers has won a prestigious award for his work.

The National Association of Cider Makers (NACM) has awarded the annual Fred Beech trophy to the chairman of Thatchers Cider, John Thatcher.

The Fred Beech award recognises outstanding contributions made to the cider industry each year.

Fenella Tyler, former Chair of the NACM said: "The NACM is delighted to recognise John Thatcher with this award, given the very significant contribution he has made to our industry this year.

"Many people will know that John has played an important role at the heart of the NACM for many years. This award reveals that, when the industry needed someone to champion and lobby for growers and cider makers on the issue of the Single Farm Payment scheme, we had John to call upon with his great knowledge, experience and very considerable persistence."

The lobbying led by John on behalf of the cider industry contributed to the decision to bring payments to apple growers in the UK within the Single Farm Payment scheme.