The Government has announced the National Fruit Collection will remain at Brogdale Farm, Faversham for the foreseeable future which is welcome news for the 2,000 local people who signed a petition campaigning for it to stay.

The Department of Food and Rurtal Affairs (Defra) said that the University of Reading will take over the maintenance and curation of the collections from April 2008.

Tony Hillier, chairman of Hillreed which owns Brogdale Farm, said: “We are absolutely delighted with the news that the collection will stay at Brogdale, which will provide security for local jobs in the rural economy.

"Brogdale Farm is a sustainable tourist location and is currently undergoing the second phase of a £1million facelift which will make it more accessible and attractive to visitors from across the world.”

Jeff Rooker, Minister of Sustainable Farming and Food, said: “The long-term security of the Collections has always been our main priority therefore we welcome the decision for the National Fruit Collection to remain at Brogdale.

"Local support stressing the importance of retaining the Collections has been continuous since the start of the tendering process and we are delighted with the final outcome and to be working alongside Reading as the new curators.”

Defra revealed it had received more than 60 representations from members of the public all of whom have asked that the collections remain at Brogdale.

One of these letters included a petition with over 2000 signatures. Letters were also received from Faversham Town Council and Swale Borough Council.