Drink producer Thatchers says it has started the earliest ever harvest due to hot weather but apples are only ‘two-thirds’ their normal size Possible cider shortage on the way (Image: Getty Images)

Britain's sizzling summer could cause a shortage of cider - due to shrunken apples. ‌

Drink producer Thatchers says it has started the earliest harvest in its 120-year history because of the long dry period. ‌

But apples are ‘two-thirds’ of their normal size. Met Office data suggests the UK had its hottest summer on record with four separate heatwaves ‌

Thatchers’ managing director Martin Thatcher said the weather prompted the company to harvest thousands of apples 10 days ahead of schedule.

A warm spring led to good pollination at the company's orchards - meaning there w

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