There are many varieties to choose from. For example, Moneymaker bear large, deep purple fruit while Mohican have small white fruit and are perfect for patio pots. Then there is Bonica which produce an abundance of mid-purple fruit, and Red Egg with the fruit being small and red when fully ripe but best eaten when they are yellowy orange.

Whichever variety you choose, they require a sunny, sheltered spot in the garden. Or they can be grown in the greenhouse. Market stalls and garden centres sell young plants which you can grow on. When the plants reach between 15cm and 20cm, pinch out the growing point to encourage bushy growth and more fruit. Pot on until the plants are in 13cm to 15cm pots and use a good multi-purpose potting compost. Rather than planting them out in the garden, try keeping them in pots because yields tend to be much better when the roots are confined. Water regularly keeping the compost moist and feed with tomato fertiliser using half-strength at each watering. Pick the fruit as soon as it has changed colour and before they get too old, pithy and bitter.