MONKS at a North Yorkshire abbey hope prayers for a bumper apple crop to boost their cider production will be answered after a disastrous 2012 harvest.

The early arrival of spring weather last year was too warm for orchards across the UK, including the Ampleforth Apple orchard, one of the most northerly in the country with more than 40 varieties of trees. Apple trees bloomed early after temperatures soared, but were then ruined when a cold snap arrived.

The orchard’s operators said wet weather also stopped bees leaving their hives and meant blossom died or was left unpollinated, but hopes are high for a more promising 2013 crop.

Cameron Smith, the Ampleforth orchard’s manager, said prolonged winter weather put apple blossom on hold, and with temperatures now rising, it could mean “excellent conditions” for a late summer harvest.

“If we get the buds opening into blossom and some warmer weather for the bees to be active, we will get the fruit we need,” he said.

“That will certainly be good for those who like our cider. Last year’s harvest was very low and we were fortunate we had stocks left over from 2011. Demand for Ampleforth cider keeps rising and we’ll be able to meet it if we get the right conditions.”

Ampleforth cider is produced at the abbey, with the orchards originally planted by Benedictine monks who formed the monastery in 1802, and has won a string of awards.