A WYE Valley cider producer is raising a glass to being named best drink producer in the country.

The Johnson family’s Ross-on-Wye Cider and Perry Company won the prestigious title at the BBC Food and Farming awards in Bristol.

Mike Johnson and son Albert, who also run the Yew Tree pub near their Broome Farm base in Peterstow, were on hand to accept the honour from judges Jaega Wise and Alice Lascelles, with fourth-generation cider producer Albert posting: “Wow. We are over the moon.”

He added: “Thank you to the amazing judges Jaega Wise and Alice Lascelles. To the BBC Food Programme for hosting and organising the awards. To everyone who took the time to nominate us for this.

“To all of our team at the farm and at the Yew Tree. And to everyone who drinks, supports and talks about our cider and perry.”

The family has been producing cider for more than 80 years, and the business was shortlisted against Northern Monk brewery in Leeds and Arbikie Distillery in Arbroath for the title of top drinks producer .

A BBC Food and Farming Awards 2019 spokesperson said: “Broome Farm in Peterstow has become a place of pilgrimage for cider and perry makers.”