A group of farmers in the county are investigating the possibility of using alcohol made from surplus apples in the production of bio-diesel.

They have secured funding from the regional development agency Advantage West Midlands for a feasibility study.

The farmers want to find a new market for fruit which is not needed to make cider so they can protect orchards.

If the alcohol was used as an additive, it would provide an alternative to toxic methanol which is currently used to cleanse bio-diesel.

The idea came from Herefordshire Council's environmental support department.

Herefordshire Orchard Topic Group, which is made up mainly of apple producers, has secured the funding.