Rubens has been named the UK's tastiest apple.

The Kent-grown variety, which has its origins in Italy, has won the title Britain's Tastiest Apple for the second consecutive year at the National Fruit Show held in the Kent Showground, Detling.

It was a clean sweep for Rubens, with three growers in the top three spots.

First place went to Nigel Bardsley from River Farm, Staplehhurst. He pioneered Rubens growing after tasting the apple at a trade fair in Italy.

Clive Gotham from AC Gotham, Sittingbourne, was second, and Simon Mount, from Stourmouth, third.

Rubens saw off competition from 150 different varieties to impress the judging panel that included Adrian Barlow, chief executive of English Apples & Pears.

More success for the apple went to Bob Thompson from Chainhurst, near Marden, who won the Rubens class award after entering the show for the first time. Bob scooped the trophy and a night at the Rubens Hotel in London for his reward.

Michael Joyles of Paddock Wood-based Norman Collett, which markets Rubens, said: "It is an outstanding result to claim the first three places for this Kent grown apple when the competition was so fierce.

"British apples are on a true resurgence in the UK and the quality of apples makes each grower raise their game.

"So to claim the first three places is an astounding achievement and reflect the quality of Kent and British apple growers."