Wine producers are keeping their fingers crossed for a healthy harvest to help continue their growing international reputation.

The long, hot summer enjoyed across Sussex this year created good growing conditions and the prospect of a bountiful crop of quality grapes.

As the harvest begins, industry insiders say that many vines are looking healthy and the crop size looks set to provide good volume.

The news will see Sussex producers, such as Court Garden vineyard in Ditchling and Sedlescombe Vineyard, near Robertsbridge, raise a toast as they look to build on a growing reputation.