The Lea Valley Growers Association (In its Centenary year) applied for protected geographical indication status for the Lea Valley Cucumber to increase awareness and sales of the last English cop of the season in what has been an extremely difficult year.

The Lea Valley produces over 80 million Cucumbers per annum which represents over 65% of the UK's Cucumber production.

The taste of a Lea Valley cucumber is mainly watery and juicy and the seeds give it a hint of freshness.

The Lea Valley has a long and proud association with both horticulture and agriculture.

The Lea Valley Growers Association celebrated its centenary year in 2011 and hosted a Royal Visit from the Duke of Kent, planned and sponsored the First ever Great British Cucumber Festival, held in September to celebrate the Lea Valley Cucumber industry.

The aims were to raise awareness of English cucumbers as tasty, safe and healthy and to increase pride in cucumbers as the flagship industry in the Lea Valley.

The event involved a number of different-themed areas covering topics such as food,The Longest Cucumber competition, The Cucumber Baton Relay, Little Italy, health and beauty and even music, which was opened by the Rt Hon MP for Epping Forest Eleanor Laing and Former Tottenham Hotspur Manager Peter Shreeves.

Visitors had the chance to sample drinks made from fruit and vegetables, visit the salad bar, enjoy the fun fair and find out about the centenary of the LVGA

The event was so successful that this years event will take place on the 12th May.