Why it's hard to pick up a traditional English cherry in the shops

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With exotic names such as Merton Glory, Napoleon and Bigarreau Gaucher, they were once a common sight at the greengrocer's.

But the traditional varieties of English cherry enjoyed by generations are in danger of being wiped out, say food campaigners.

They claim a demand for year-round summer fruit and the dominance of supermarkets means shoppers are increasingly being fobbed off with bland imports and tasteless modern varieties.

In an attempt to save the traditional English cherry a campaign will encourage shoppers to seek out the older, more flavoursome varieties which include the Bigarreau Frogmore and Early Rivers.

CherryAid is the brainchild of food writer Henrietta Green, the founder of FoodLoversBritain.com, who believes shoppers are missing out on the range of flavours, textures and colours offered by traditional cherries.

She said that in Kent - known as the garden of England - there are 85 per cent fewer cherry trees than 50 years ago as orchards are grubbed up.

Those that remain have swapped to newer varieties developed in America or on the Continent.

Many shoppers have never had the chance to taste a traditional British cherry. Supermarkets usually sell only modern varieties such as the Stella, Sweetheart and Penny.

Farmers say they are more commercially viable, being easier to grow and pick and that they are liked by the public and supermarkets who want fruit throughout the year. They admit, however, that traditional varieties have a greater depth of flavour.

Miss Green said: "People are missing out. And as the old orchards disappear, so does the biodiversity of the flowers and insects. Our aim is to raise awareness about these heritage cherries."