IT is official; Somerset's favourite tipple has far reaching health benefits new research has shown.

Researchers at Glasgow University have found that supping the traditional Somerset tipple could bring a range of health benefits, including helping ward off heart disease and cancer in the same way that red wine does.

Willing participants have had to drink pints of cider from Thatchers, in Somerset, because it is thought to be full of health-giving antioxidants called phenolics.

Serena Marks, who is leading the research, said: "We tested some ciders before we started and Thatchers had the most phenolics.

"Now we want to see if these phenolics can get from the cider into the blood stream and bring health benefits to those drinking it."

As part of the research volunteers will each drink a pint of cider.

Their levels of antioxidants will then be recorded throughout the day to see if the body can absorb them.

The news has been welcomed by David Sheppy, of Sheppy's Cider Farm, at Bradford-on-Tone.

He said: "We are members of the National Association of Cider Makers and we knew there had been research into the health benefits of cider.

"The last I heard the news was encouraging.

"I believe there are anti-oxidants in cider that have a similar benefit to those in red wine.

"The research shows that traditional cider apples have more of these than traditional desert apples.

"The news that there could be good health benefits to drinking cider is obviously good news for us and the industry as a whole."