An Australian apple developed for its crispness which has been 20 years in the making could hit shelves in the UK next year.

The apple, known only as RS103-130 at the moment, has been dubbed “the world’s best apple” by its developers for its ability to stay fresh and crisp for two weeks in a fruit bowl.

And the deep red fruit is said to have an even longer life when kept in the fridge, where it can retain its original qualities for “months on end”.

It has been created by researchers in the Queensland government in Australia and has been developed without the use of genetic modification.

The apple has disease-resistant properties derived from a gene found in the Asiatic apple malus floribunda.

Australian primary industries minister Tim Mulherin told The Telegraph: "The beauty of this fruit is that you can buy it and stick it in a fruit bowl and it will maintain its firmness, texture and crispness for up to 14 days.

"Another advantage is that if it goes into longer term storage, it will retain its freshness for months on end.

"This new variety is sweet. It ticks the other boxes too because it is disease resistant, so requires few or no fungicides."

Mulherin praised the apple’s record in taste testings, where it is said to have outperformed Pink Lady. He also said the state government was looking for a partner to commercial supply of the new apple, putting it on the market as early as next year.

Scientist Dr Simon Middleton of the Applethorpe Research Station said he was impressed by the RS103-130 apple, saying it was “unique” in being resistant to apple scab and also black spot - a disease that costs the Australian industry £6 million a year.

He said: "There is a huge demand from growers to find a disease-resistant variety that requires few or no fungicides."

But some have already suggested that the new apple may not catch on in Britain, as it has similar qualities to the unpopular Saturn variety introduced to the UK in 1980.