A strainer system comprises a strainer housing having a first end portion and a second end portion, an inlet for raw fluid and an outlet for strained fluid, the outlet for strained fluid being disposed in the first end portion of the housing; a strainer basket having a strainer screen and disposed within the housing, the external surface of the strainer screen being in flow communication with the raw fluid inlet and the internal surface of the strainer screen being in flow communication with the strained fluid outlet; a backwash collector assembly comprising a backwash conduit having an opening disposed adjacent the outer surface of the strainer screen, the backwash conduit and the strainer basket being moveable relative to each other, so as to allow the opening to pass across the external surface of the strainer screen; a backwash outlet disposed in the second end portion of the strainer housing; and drive means for moving one of the backwash conduit and the strainer basket relative to one another, the drive means being disposed in the first end portion of the strainer housing. A method of straining a fluid, in particular a liquid, is also provided.