Four British records were smashed at a national pumpkin festival sponsored by Ipswich seed firm Thompson & Morgan.
Stuart and Ian Paton from Hampshire broke the record that they set in 2016 for the heaviest pumpkin to be grown in the UK at the Autumn Pumpkin Festival in Netley, Southampton, on October 14.
Paul Hansord of Thompson & Morgan said: “We’ve been sponsoring the Autumn Pumpkin Festival event in Southampton for many years and it’s always exciting when a record is beaten, so this year we’re thrilled to see four records broken.”
Matthew Oliver of RHS Hyde Hall, Chelmsford, beat the record for heaviest outdoor-grown pumpkin with a 1498.4lbs whopper. In 2016, he hollowed out his giant pumpkin and rowed it across a lake. Steve Bridges of Bath took the prize for heaviest UK-grown squash (457.3lb) and David Maund of north Devon for his 176.5lb field pumpkin.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here