IN 1986 the Queen donated an oak tree from Windsor Great Park which was made into a cask by Hereford Cider Museum's King Offa Distillery. Her favour will be returned during the Golden Jubilee when she is presented with a 12-year-old bottle of cider brandy, aged in her own oak.

The Royal Cider Brandy will be presented to her in a special box decorated with a design of cider apples inspired by Herefordshire Pomonas.

Local artist, Lizzie Harper, whose work is currently on exhibition at the Cider Museum, was commissioned to produce the design.

The oak cask was crafted by a master cooper before being filled with spirit. The result is a smooth, mellow brandy of 46 per cent alcohol content which is being released as a limited edition commemorative tipple.

The Queen is to be presented with bottle number 50 in celebration of her years on the throne.