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If the saying is anything to go by, then 21 October should be declared a national holiday for all doctors, as there are lots of reasons why an apple a day can keep the doctor away.

It may surprise you but Apple Day has nothing to do with iPods and iPads. It's is a day to recognize the wealth and variety of apples available in the United Kingdom. The day was first started in 1990 by Common Ground in Covent Garden. The following year it launched nationwide with over 50 events ranging from apple roadshows, grafting classes and village hall markets. By 2000 the day was celebrated in over 600 events around the country, and abroad. Events were organized by restaurants, museums, Women's Institutes, cider makers, community orchards and garden societies, to name but a few.

Apple Day events can be large or small, from apple games in a garden to large village fairs with cookery demonstrations, games, apple identification, juice and cider, gardening advice, and of course many hundreds of apple varieties.