CROWDS of people turned out to get to the core of the matter at a popular apple festival.

Incredible Edible Prestwich and District (IEPAD) Apple Day saw families head down to Philips Park on Sunday, for a day of apple bobbing, face painting and arts and crafts.

Visitors took part in the popular longest peel competition and got their hands on all kinds of apple related goodness – including apple punch for adults.

All this is in support of the town’s sustainability group IEPAD, which aims to provide free sustainable produce for the whole community.

New organiser Nadia Jaynes has taken over from the group’s secretary George Heron, who has previously organised the Apple Day, which is now in its sixth year.

Organiser Nadia Jaynes said: “It’s been brilliant everyone’s really engaging, they’re all enjoying taking part in games and buying the local produce, supporting the local community. It’s great, it’s really heart-warming.

“George has still been very much on hand helping me through it but I’ve just taken on a lot of the admin side and with a view to next year, I’ll completely take over.

“But this year George has had to guide me through because there’s that many different people involved.

“The day was a bit windy to start with so we had to summons the troops and get all the sides put on the gazebos because they were blowing all over, but it’s been dry and sunny which is perfect.

“There’s been a steady stream of people coming through so it’s quite busy.”

People were able to browse stalls offering jams, chutneys, cakes, crumbles, bird and bug boxes, toffee apples, wood fire pizzas and freshly pressed apple juice.

A treasure hunt was organised to keep youngsters entertained and children also enjoyed apple bobbing.

Annie Barton, visited for the first time with her husband, Ben and their three children, twins Ollie and Josh, aged eight and four-year-old Ruby.

Mrs Barton, of Prestwich, said: “It’s really good, we didn’t realise it was on but my husband’s aunty has got a stall so we thought we’d come up and see what’s going on.

“I’ve barely seen the children because they’re taking part in a treasure hunt so they’ve been busy hunting around the area and they’re really enjoying it.

“Everything’s good value for money so it’s a great day out.”

Mark Lockwood, IEPAD chairman, said: “It’s gone really well, we never know how many people are going to turn up but the children always enjoy it.

“This year’s been a bumper crop so we’ve got lots of produce and apple juice.

“It’s one of our main fundraisers as well as promoting Incredible Edible and it’s a great event for the community.”