From left: Dr Ian Graham-Bryce, Chairman of East Malling Trust for Horticultural Research, Rt Hon Hilary Benn, Secretary of State for Defra, and Oliver Doubleday Chairman of East Malling Research.

The UK could grow more strawberries with less water thanks to ground-breaking research at East Malling.

During a visit to the pioneering complex, Hilary Benn, Secretary of State for Department of Environment, Farming & Rural Affairs (Defra), heard from experts about their latest breakthrough.

East Malling Research (EMR) has found it is possible to cut the amount of water used to grow a tonne of Grade 1 strawberries from 70 tonnes to just 10 tonnes.

It says it also improves taste and boosts the levels of antioxidants and Vitamin C in the berries. The work has major implications, not only for UK growers but also fruit and vegetable producers in Spain, southern Europe and China.

After visiting the site, Mr Benn opened a forum that focused on the challenge of persuading British consumers to raise their average daily intake of fruit and vegetables from the current 2.8 portions a day to the target of five.

The Government claims the shortfall costs the National Health Service an estimated £6bn a year and accounts for 42,000 premature deaths every year.

EMR chairman Oliver Doubleday welcomed the chance to show Mr Benn the site’s exciting projects. He said: "Scientific research needs to be at the heart of the debate about how we are able to produce more, reduce our dependence on imports and also persuade more people to consume British grown fruit and vegetables.

"We are perfectly placed to enhance production by improving the viability and yields of crops as the climate changes, but also tackling pests while greatly reducing the need for pesticides.

"However, EMR’s work is also important in ensuring that consumers can be persuaded to eat more locally produced fruit and vegetables by tackling the issues of storage and appearance, and enhancing the nutritional values as we’ve shown in many fruits."