Walnuts are now being grown across Kent and Sussex

Vineyards have become a common sight across the South East and there are walnut orchards in Kent and Sussex.

Canterbury farmer Ian Johnson claims the flavour of Kent-grown apricots is as good as continental produce.

He said warmer winters - not the warmer summers - were likely to be the new threat to Kent's traditional produce of apples and pears.

"I don't think we are looking at massive weather changes," he said.

Winter blossom

"If I had to worry about the weather at all it would be the lack of cooler weather in the winter to kill off the bugs and put the trees to bed."

He said this year's apricots have already been harvested and were "as good as anything you will find on the continent".

"The flavour is quite unique and the flesh is good.

Kent's traditional produce needs cold winters

"The only possible comment might be that the skin is slightly firmer than with continental apricots."

He said apricot trees blossomed in February or even earlier, but even though the weather at that time of the year was cool and frosty, with no bees for pollination, they still bore fruit.

But he said apricot production was a new venture that was not for the faint-hearted.

Earlier this year, farmer Richard Dain in Sevenoaks planted walnuts in orchards previously used for apples and pears because the traditional fruit did not generate enough profit.

He claimed the production of apples and pears had become less lucrative because of competition from abroad and strict European regulations on how the fruit should be grown.