Preheat the oven to 350°F (180°C) Gas 4.

Hull the berries and arrange over the bottom of a shallow ovenproof dish. Mix the caster sugar and 2 tbsp of the almonds together and sprinkle over the berries.

Peel and halve the pears lengthways. Remove the cores. Arrange cut sides down in a single layer on the berries. Bake on the centre shelf of the oven for 20 minutes.

Put the egg whites and sifted icing sugar into a large heatproof bowl over a pan of simmering water. Whisk till the meringue is stiff and glossy. Spoon or pipe the meringue over the pears and sprinkle with the reserved almonds.

Return to the oven and bake for a further 10 minutes till lightly browned. Serve immediately.