Tree lovers are urging people to check their back gardens in case long-neglected Yorkshire apple varieties are lurking there.

The Forest of Bradford project is organising an Apple Day at Saltaire and wants people to contribute their local knowledge.

Experts will be on hand at the Exhibition Building, Saltaire, on Saturday, October 21, to look at the home-grown apples brought in by local people and check if there are rare varieties.

Green campaigners worry that many of the more unusual old English apple varieties are dying out, while apples available in the shops tend to be one of the handful of commercially grown varieties, such as Granny Smiths.

"The whole point of the day is to celebrate diversity," said Cath Long, of the Forest of Bradford. "We'd like to hear people's memories of old orchards - whether they're still there, or need revisiting and perhaps restoring or replanting."

Other features of the day will be an apple-pie competitionand apple-themed games for children.

At a 'fruit surgery', experts will be able to look at fruit brought in by people from their own gardens, and identify the type. "Lots of people buy a house with an apple tree in the garden but haven't the faintest idea what the tree is and what its history is," said Ms Long, pictured with Julia Pearson enjoying the taste of the big apple. Pubs and restaurants are also being asked to get involved by putting apple dishes on their menus. Fanny's Alehouse in Saltaire is putting on special cider.

lApple Day takes place at the Exhibition Building, Exhibition Road, Saltaire from 11am to 4pm. For more details or to contribute your own apple stories, call the Forest of Bradford on (01274) 754922. Another family event to celebrate Apple Day takes place at Oakwell Hall, Birstall, on Sunday October 22 from noon until 4pm.