The key event in the tomato sector calendar saw many players come together to discuss the future of the sector, which has had a troubled season.

But most of the faces wore smiles as the industry's leading lights looked to the future.

Tomato Growers Association chief Gerry Hayman admitted prospects looked bleak for the season's outcome, and said a steep rise in energy costs was a key factor in dwindling profits.

But he pointed to the availability of eastern European labour as a boon for growers in his letter to conference.

In his speech Hayman insisted that the tomato was a favourite with many sectors of the UK populous – such as children – but encouraged growers to widen the appeal of the fruit by promoting it as a healthy and fun food.

The charismatic boss joked that the fruit's vitamins and nutrients give it aphrodisiac qualities, and this could be a key advertising hook.

At the intriguing round- robin sessions, many growers were stunned by the findings of Exeter University's Sven Reichrath, who used advanced computer modelling to show what happens inside the glasshouse.

PhD finalist Reichrath found dead zones in the growing arena that could lead to grossly inaccurate readings.

He drew many questions from the floor, and impressed the audience by tackling a complex issue with considerable aplomb.