Farmers need more support from supermarkets instead of packing their shelves with imported goods, says The National Fruit Show boss.

Sarah Calcutt, executive chair of the annual event, which is was opened yesterday by The Countess of Wessex, said the need for action was "urgent".

Speaking on the opening day of the 89th show, held at The Kent County Showground, near Maidstone, she said: "The quality of the fruit on display here at the show is fantastic this year and it tastes incredible thanks to the growing season, but many growers are struggling.

"They urgently need more support from supermarkets and we need them to understand the financial pressures growers are facing and to pay a fair price for the crops they grow.

"It is disappointing that we are currently seeing a large volume of imported fruit on supermarket shelves at a time when they should be packed with British apples and pears.

"This is the best possible time to buy British fruit with the maximum number of varieties available and straight off the trees.

"We need the British public to support British growers and to buy British fruit at a really critical time to help the industry."

The National Fruit Show showcases the finest British apples and pears.

This year's comes as growers are experiencing increased expenditure of around 20-25% due to the combination of higher wages, energy and fertiliser costs.

The show is a competition for commercial growers who produce for UK supermarkets, greengrocers and farmshops.

Winning apples are also entered into Britain’s Tastiest Apple competition.

There are 13,080 varieties displayed at the show which runs until Thursday.