National Forest Spring Water is sourced from a 220ft-deep borehole on the edge of the Derbyshire town of Melbourne.

The very name of the historic town is associated with water - it is derived from "mill on the brook".

Throughout history the area has been associated with water and subsequent fertility.

The town is situated just two miles from the River Trent. A few miles upstream this waterway continues to be used in the production of Burton-on-Trent's celebrated beers.

Within a very short distance of Melbourne, reservoirs have now been created to take advantage of the area's wonderful hydration.

But the source of The National Forest Spring Water stretches back in time. Geological studies have shown that it comes from gravel beds that could have been laid down by a river of the past.

The rich mix of geological attributes in the area - carboniferous limestone, millstone grit and alluvial floodplains included, have proved a fertile mix. Market gardening has long been a staple of the economy in the area and indeed for many years water from The National Forest Spring was used to nourish delicious salad vegetables.

More recently the area has become part of The National Forest, which aims to create a 200 square mile area where woodland predominates. The region has always drawn lovers of the countryside and outdoor life, this new initiative is now bringing even more of them to the area.

Drink in the history - ancient and modern!