Two Gloucestershire MPs have pledge to support the UK's cider industry, with Tewkesbury's MP saying cider is 'a vital part of the south west economy'.

David Drew, MP for Stroud, and Laurence Robertson, MP for Tewkesbury, were at a joint reception of the National Association of Cider Makers (NACM) and the All Party Parliamentary Cider Group at the Houses of Parliament.

The cider makers explained the diverse range of products, resulting from the dedication and innovation that have been consistently growing the quality and range of ciders sold in Britain and around the world.

But Helen Thomas, managing director of Westons Cider and Chair of the NACM, raised the issue of how long these communities can survive. She said that excise duty has increased by over 20 per cent since 2010 and cider volumes are now 25 per cent smaller than they were seven years ago.

She said: "Cider makers are facing difficult times and are now making tough decisions, which may have a lasting impact on rural areas".

"In the last two years, we have faced more disruption as an industry than I can ever remember. Smaller cider makers have faced the threat to the small cider maker excise relief. The announcement of a review into the alcohol structures for cider in the spring budget could have significant ramifications and our ability to compete both in the UK and abroad remains unclear in a post Brexit marketplace".

British cider makers are regarded as experts from across the globe. Interest in British cider has never been stronger and the UK market represents around 46 per cent of all cider sold across the world.

"The NACM is proud to support more than 240 cider makers who represent the very best of Britain and we need to ensure that we remain a global success story for decades (or hopefully centuries) to come."

To endorse this, the Lords and MPs present were asked to sign up as Cider Champions, to pledge their support for an industry that is so important to the UK economy and particularly rural communities, here many are employed, trained and developed by the cider makers.