An ancient Somerset tradition returned to a village on the weekend.

North Somerset Times: Congresbury Wassail at the Community Orchard. Picture: MARK ATHERTONCongresbury Wassail at the Community Orchard. Picture: MARK ATHERTON (Image: Archant)

Congresbury villagers hosted a wassail ceremony on the Millennium Green on Saturday.

Dozens of youngsters and adults blessed the apple trees at the community orchard, while pots and pans were bashed and cider-soaked toast wafted around the trees to encourage a fruitful crop of apples.

North Somerset Times: Congresbury Wassail at the Community Orchard. Picture: MARK ATHERTONCongresbury Wassail at the Community Orchard. Picture: MARK ATHERTON (Image: Archant)

The green man, Brian Kemplay, led the procession with old songs.

The celebration originates from a Pagan ritual dating back centuries.

North Somerset Times: Congresbury Wassail at the Community Orchard. Picture: MARK ATHERTONCongresbury Wassail at the Community Orchard. Picture: MARK ATHERTON (Image: Archant)

Wassail celebrations will continue in the area this weekend.

Wraxall's Tyntesfield House will host its first wassail on Saturday from 2pm to 4pm.

North Somerset Times: Congresbury Wassail at the Community Orchard. Picture: MARK ATHERTONCongresbury Wassail at the Community Orchard. Picture: MARK ATHERTON (Image: Archant)

Admission, priced £6-26, is available on the day.

If you attend a wassailing event, remember to upload your photos to www.iwitness24.co.uk

North Somerset Times: Blessing the new apple trees at the Community Orchard during Conresbury Wassail. Picture: MARK ATHERTONBlessing the new apple trees at the Community Orchard during Conresbury Wassail. Picture: MARK ATHERTON (Image: Archant)

North Somerset Times: Congresbury Wassail at the Community Orchard. Picture: MARK ATHERTONCongresbury Wassail at the Community Orchard. Picture: MARK ATHERTON (Image: Archant)

North Somerset Times: Congresbury Wassail at the Community Orchard. Picture: MARK ATHERTONCongresbury Wassail at the Community Orchard. Picture: MARK ATHERTON (Image: Archant)

North Somerset Times: Congresbury Wassail at the Community Orchard. Picture: MARK ATHERTONCongresbury Wassail at the Community Orchard. Picture: MARK ATHERTON (Image: Archant)

North Somerset Times: Congresbury Wassail at the Community Orchard. Picture: MARK ATHERTONCongresbury Wassail at the Community Orchard. Picture: MARK ATHERTON (Image: Archant)

North Somerset Times: Congresbury Wassailers making their way to the Community Orchard. Picture: MARK ATHERTONCongresbury Wassailers making their way to the Community Orchard. Picture: MARK ATHERTON (Image: Archant)

North Somerset Times: Congresbury Wassailers making their way to the Community Orchard. Picture: MARK ATHERTONCongresbury Wassailers making their way to the Community Orchard. Picture: MARK ATHERTON (Image: Archant)