A new square melon could be the shape of things to come.

The bizarre fruit has been developed by Japanese farmers who decided that the traditional round fruit was too difficult to store.

The melons are grown in glass moulds on the island of Shikoku. The farmers came up with the idea 20 years ago but have only now put it into practice. They claim the new shapes biggest advantage is that the melons can be stored more easily in refrigeration units for shipping.