Is it pear? Is it an apple? No, it's the T109

Marks & Spencer has launched a pear that looks and tastes like an apple.

Dubbed the ‘papple’ – but officially called T109, as it has yet to be named – it has the skin and texture of the pear.

The papple was one of the most exciting new varieties of fruit M&S had seen for several years, said M&S fruit expert Shazad Rehman.

“We know our customers like to try new and interesting fruit and we hope this will be something they will really enjoy,” Rehman said.

Grown in New Zealand, the papple is a cross between a European pear variety and an Asian blushed pear. It is the first time it has been available outside the country. M&S is hoping to grow the pear in the UK from 2015.