BERRY LOVERS will be pleased to hear that British strawberries are now at the peak of their season, with a tremendous crop being picked due to optimal growing conditions.

The nation’s favourite berry is currently available in supermarkets in abundance and, according to trade body British Summer Fruits, at a good price.

BSF chairman Nicholas Marston said: “Now is the time for people to buy and enjoy British strawberries. The fruit is now at its very best and can be bought at super values from all retailers and shops.”

Strawberries are the most popular berry, with more than 133,000 tonnes sold in the UK in the past year. Shoppers spent more than £659 million on the 'classically British' berry, an increase of 7% from 2018. Berries now have a quarter of the market share of all fruit grown in the UK which has pushed the value of the berry industry over £1.4 billion.

BSF public health nutritionist Dr Emma Derbyshire explained: "Berries are a fantastic healthy snack that offer numerous health benefits. Not only is the whole strawberry rich in antioxidants, but the red fleshy part is also abundant in Vitamin C. In fact, eating just nine strawberries can provide all of your recommended daily vitamin C intake.”