RESIDENTS reaped the rewards of their summer crop as they crushed apples into drinkable juice.

Families created their very own long-lasting nectar from fruits found in their gardens, as environmental group Abingdon Carbon Cutters launched its pressing sessions.

Sally Reynolds, secretary of the group, said: "The aim is to reduce food waste by using apples that are often just lying around on people’s lawns, and turn them into delicious juice. It also saves packaging because you don’t have to go and buy it."

She said on the first day of opening on Monday they made about 15 litres of apple juice at their pop-up base in Bury Street Community FreeSpace, adding: "It’s much nicer and tastier than juice in shops.

"We would really like even more people to bring their apples. The kit has a shredder, press and pasteuriser.

"Fresh juice keeps in the fridge for about five days but pasteurised keeps for over a year – if you have lots of apples, you could press enough to last all that time."

Members of the public can pop by between 11am and 2pm daily until October 7, excluding Sunday, to use the traditional or electric press for a charge of 20p per bottle.

Those with a bountiful crop can borrow the kit for £10 a day, by emailing susiehoward1@gmail.com to book a slot.