‘AS American as apple pie’ is a well-known saying across the Atlantic, but a couple from Sale are looking to export their products made from traditional English apples to the US.

Michelle McKenna and partner Paul Gorman (pictured above) are behind Clippy’s Apples, a range of handmade jams, preserves, jellies and chutneys.

The company launched in 2008 and its products will be appearing on US shelves in time for next Christmas.

Michelle , whose nickname is Clippy because of her fondness for wearing hair clips, said: “I was reading about the rich history of orchards in England and how many of them were being destroyed.

“We had lots of apple trees in our garden and I was looking for an opportunity to start a food company. After I visited a few farmers’ markets, the idea came to me in a flash!”

Michelle’s first product was Apple and Figgy Diggy Jam, which quickly became a range of four products after testing the recipes on friends.

One of the first stores to stock Clippy’s was Manchester’s Harvey Nichols, though Michelle was still making batches of 20 jars in her kitchen using apples from her and neighbours’ gardens.

Demand began to outstrip supply and a new source of apples was found near Chester. Paul joined the firm, applying his background as a management consultant and the couple spent £4,500 converting their garage into a production line with capacity for 250 jars at a time, and the range grew to nine products.

By now Clippy’s had been signed up by six UK distributors and was supplying 150 retailers directly.

Michelle promoted the brand touring the UK giving cooking demonstrations, and last year Clippy’s sold 40,000 jars. But with access to the US market they reckon on shifting 140,000 jars in 2010.

Paul said: “We want to be a household name synonymous with British apples, with Michelle as the figurehead.

“This is quite a staid industry and our products are different - but not too different!”

In January Paul and Michelle visited a San Francisco trade show and secured a distribution deal.

Small chains and independent stores will be stocking their products later this year after Clippy’s has change its packaging to comply with US regulations.