A Brighton art gallery is inviting visitors to sample apples from a display of 700 varieties.

The collection at the Brighton Fringe Basement explores the idea that people have lost touch with the origins of food.

Entitled The Lost Apple Field, it forms part of an exhibition funded by the British Council, featuring historical methods of food production.

One artist, Andre Viljoen, said: “It makes the point that although there is discussion about choice, the reality is that there is very little choice.”

He said the country boasts 2,000 apple varieties but the shops only stock around 10 types at best.

Tessa Lewin from Lighthouse, the Brighton-based arts organisation, said the public response had been very encouraging.

“I had a lot of friends here at the opening, trying different ones, discussing them, how one tasted like aniseed and another like liquorice.”

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