THE worst summer weather in more than a decade has left fruit farmers reeling.

Hailstorms have decimated acres of apple, pear and plum crops and the relentless wet weather has badly hit sales of soft fruit.

Last year, growers were struggling to cope with the drought, but this year the wet, stormy weather has brought its own severe problems.

Charles Atkins grows apples, pears, strawberries and raspberries at Amery Court Farm, Blean, near Canterbury.

The strawberries are grown in polytunnels and the raspberries under glass, so haven't been affected by the rain.

But the wet summer has had a dramatic impact on the demand for soft fruit, which has affected the price the farmers have been able to achieve.

Mr Atkins said: "People just are not buying strawberries and raspberries this summer. I have been farming since 1989 and I have never known it so bad."

Robert Balicki, chief executive of the Canterbury-based produce marketing company Worldwide Fruit, said: "Be under no illusion, it is financially very damaging for these growers."

* SEE THE KENTISH GAZETTE (THURSDAY, JULY 26) FOR THE FULL STORY.