RESIDENTS had a pressing invitation to make their own apple juice – and responded with a thumbs-up.

The first of four public apple pressings in Chester took place last weekend outside Deli Vert in Faulkner Street, Hoole, and proved a big hit with the locals.

The events, organised by environmental group Transition Chester, encourage people to put their spare apples to good use and make them into fresh juice, using an apple press.

More than 200 litres of apple and pear juice was pressed from fruit brought by residents last Saturday, with pressing continuing solidly from 10am-2pm.

Simon Brown of Transition Chester said: “We had a queue waiting for us as we set up the stand and were so pleased that so many people really wanted to make use of their surplus apples and didn’t want them to go to waste.

“We hope the other events we have planned will be equally as successful.”

More apple pressing events will take place during October:

Saturday, October 8, from 10am-2pm at Westminster Park Shops, Five Ashes Road, Chester.

Saturday, October 15, from 10am-2pm at Blacon Parade, Blacon.

Saturday, October 29, from 10am-2pm outside the Kingsway Community Cafe at Kingsway Shops, Newton.