Plum

The Denbigh plum may be awarded Protected Geographical Indication (PGI) status if a bid put to Defra and the European Commission is successful.

A dossier for the plum will be scrutinised by Defra before being presented to the European Commission.

The plum is named after an area of North Wales and, according to the National Fruit Collection, is said to have originated in Denbigh in about 1785. Other researchers claim to have traced it back to the 13th century where it was cultivated by monks.

It is grown commercially by Ian Sturrock and Sons in North Wales, and is described as “large dark-red fruit that are strewn with golden dots” and its flesh is “sweet and juicy with a good depth of flavour”.

PGI status is open to products that are produced or processed or prepared within the geographical area and have certain qualities attributable to that area.

The news comes as Fenland celery recently became the first English vegetable, and 55th British food product, to earn recognition for its quality, history and links to a specific local area.

Other UK fresh produce with PGI status include Jersey Royal potatoes andArmagh Bramley apples.