A RADCLIFFE cider maker is leading the fight to save their industry, which they claim is being put at risk of extinction because of European Union regulations.

Family business Red Bank Cider, based at Bradley Fold, is campaigning alongside hundreds of other cider makers in the UK who are threatened by EU plans to remove a duty exemption worth around £4,166 to small producers.

Red Bank manager Lee Thorne set up the company with wife Anita two years ago, but their award-winning real ciders could soon disappear if the exemption is removed.

Mr Thorne, aged 45, said: “It’s going to make life very difficult for us.

“We would not have come into existence without the duty exemption – we already pay some duty for producing wine so putting this on top would have a massive impact.

“We have been trading for two years and have only just managed to break even – and that’s without taking any wages for ourselves.

“It’s a very untenable situation.”

Red Bank Cider’s products have proved popular in pubs across Bury and Bolton, and they are now joining forces with fellow cider makers to earn the Government’s support.

The Thornes have set up a Facebook group with more than 300 members and are drafting a letter to the Treasury about the situation, asking that UK producers are given parity with their French counterparts, who pay just £0.01p per litre in duty.

Mr Thorne, who lives in Bolton, added: “I’m actually quite optimistic about what the Government are going to do about this.

“This isn’t just about protecting small businesses; it’s about our country’s heritage.

“The UK makes the best cider in the world, but unfortunately we are struggling to keep this tradition going. It’s quite scary.

“There are so few businesses like us that it can be difficult to make yourselves heard.”

Red Bank Cider first launched at the Manchester Cider Festival in 2013, where they won the prize for best cider.