There has been a rise in the number of Brits drinking cider with their home cooking, a new survey from Mintel has found.

Between 2005 and 2010, it revealed that value sales growth of the drink has increased by 60 per cent, meaning the market is now worth £2.2 billion.

During this period, cider has seen its user base grow from 18 per cent to 27 per cent at a time when alcohol consumption is in decline.

Jonny Forsyth, senior drinks analyst at Mintel, commented: "Cider's success has been in constantly innovating to attract a new audience of drinkers - particularly a younger and more female crowd."

He added that innovation in the market has meant that more people are showing an interest in the drink, especially due to the variety of flavours that are now on offer.

The Visit Wales blog recently encouraged festival-goers in Wales this summer to try out some of the locally-produced ciders on offer.