They might be brighter and sweeter - but Kent's apples are three weeks late because of a delayed summer.

Today is the official start of the English apple season, with the nation's crop of 115,000 tonnes of the fruit a third higher than last year.

A cold start to the year coupled with largely dull weather until the end of June left many apple trees struggling to produce good-sized fruit.

But the upside is the county's apples are more colourful than usual – with red skins thanks to the warm late summer and colder September nights.

Experts say the sunshine has also helped with the taste, which is said to be sweeter, crunchier and juicier compared to previous yields.

Farmer Peter Checkley, from Broadwater Farm, near West Malling, said: "We had a difficult crop last year, but the crop this year has recovered.

"The cold spring led to late flowering. The good thing about it was that when the summer did come, it was warmer.

"The weather has been superb since the end of June. The temperatures have been above normal and we have had more sunshine hours.

"This means two really good things for this year's crop – colour and sugar.

"The fruit is not only more colourful than normal, a brighter and much deeper red for the dessert varieties, but also much sweeter."

Demand to eat English apples has grown over recent years, with farmers adopting new technology to keep up supplies.

Mr Checkley added: "We have had to modify our systems over the years to ensure that we get good quality crops and yields.

"That has involved planting trees closer together, maximising the yield in a smaller space.

"We have also had to build stores and use better technology to store our fruit more effectively.

"This has extended the season we can supply English apples, but we are looking to push these horizons over the years even further."