THE festivities may be over but in Penhill there were celebrations of a different kind with the annual wassail ceremony.

The ceremony held on Sunday was held to bless the Penhill orchard, which is off Leigh Road.

It was planted in 2003 as part of a healthy eating project.

And it seems the organisers' hard work is bearing fruit.

Penhill Orchard Group secretary Marilyn Beale, said: "Every year when the trees start to bear fruit the children can go in and pick them.

"It takes a few years to get a really good crop though."

As part of the wassail ceremony candles and lights are brought into the orchard.