HORTICULTURE experts from around the world descended upon Selby for the opening of a new research glasshouse where crops are being grown all year round under LED lights.

Directors and staff at the Stockbridge Technology Centre welcomed guests to the official opening of its new LED High Wire facility.

More than 50 people, including representatives from academia, industry and retail, were present as former MP Michael Jack unveiled a plaque to commemorate the opening of the latest innovation.

The centre’s chief executive, Graham Ward, said: “The LED High Wire facility is a research glasshouse that is testing the potential of energy efficient LED lights to allow crops to be UK-grown for superior freshness and taste.

“The first crop that we are trialling is midi tomato cultivar Sunstream and the first fruits were available before Christmas. They taste like tomatoes used to taste - delicious and full of flavour,”

Visitors listened to talks from Stockbridge Technology Centre’s director of science, Dr Martin McPherson and chairman of the Tomato Growers’ Association, Nigel Bartle, before they were invited to the glasshouse to see the crops and to taste the fruit. After a visit to the LED4CROPS facility, the guests enjoyed a lunch with a trio of Stockbridge-grown tomato based starters created by Provenance Inns’ Group chef Dean Wade.

In his closing address, Mr Jack said: “Today has opened our imaginations to all sorts of possibilities. I’m impressed by the team’s enthusiasm and vision and by the fact that they have taken a high tech idea and created a commercial outcome.”

Stockbridge Technology Centre’s Yorkshire tomatoes are being distributed to the catering trade by Delifresh and are available from retailer members of the East Yorkshire Local Food Network.

Stockbridge Technology Centre is an independent, not-for-profit organisation that is wholly owned by the UK horticultural industry and is a centre of excellence in technology transfer to agriculture and horticulture.