A WEST Devon apple campaigner has her sights set on the other side of the world, as she extols the virtues of the British Bramley apple.

Celia Steven, the great-grand-daughter of Henry Merryweather, the nurseryman accredited with the first commercial production of the Bramley, is a passionate supporter of the world's favourite cooking apple.

Celia lives in Buckland Monachorum and is well known in the area for her work with schools and local groups in connection with the Bramley. But now she is planning a trip to Japan, following an invitation from the country's fledgling Bramley apple producing industry.

Celia said: 'It's very exciting really — I went to Ireland in 2009 and I went to France last year, but I never expected to go to Japan!'

Celia will be a guest of the Obuse Council in the Megano region, the principal area of Japan in which the Bramley, along with cherries and chestnuts, is produced.

She said: 'I don't know yet exactly what they want me to do, apart from give a lecture.

'They've been growing Bramleys for about 20 years but they've been in touch with me since about 2009. They've even got a Bramley apple fan club now!

'They sell them very differently over there to the way we do and they are differently presented.

'They sell them at about the equivalent to £5 apiece, and they are individually boxed — it's very much a niche market.'

Celia will be taking gifts with her when she goes to Japan on September 21 — gifts which will be 'waving the flag' for West Devon and the West Country.

She said: 'It's amazing how its all come about really. It's entirely due to a Mr Arai — when he first came over here he so enjoyed the apple pie he had, as they didn't have culinary apples in Japan then.

'We've been in regular contact — I've sent them pictures of the Buckland orchard, even a picture of Seth Lakeman outside the Drake Manor with a Bramley, as he has a piece of music called "The Apple of My Eye" which they've put on their fan club's blog. It's all been great fun,' said Celia.

'What is also great is the enthusiasm of chefs, particularly in the West Country, in their love and use of the Bramley, and their help in taking greetings to Japan — Peter Gorton is being so supportive in giving me a gift of his book to take with me.

'Many people have already helped in things that have been made, for example Bramley badges by Cowslip Workshop in Launceston, to give when the Japanese group visited Southwell last August — I acted as guide, and helped arrange their visit to see the original Bramley, orchards, and we were officially received by Southwell Town Council.'

Celia also paid tribute to Crispin Chambers, head of Japanese at Tavistock College.

'He's been so helpful to me, and if I can help the college with this connection in Japan, that will be great,' she said.