Martin pumped up the pumpkin

HEAVYWEIGHT pumpkin grower Martin Gardner has his own secret weapon when it comes to growing pumpkins – a heap of cow manure.Martin's pumpkin weighed in at an impressive 211lbs and scooped top prize in a competition run by Norwich and Peterborough Building Society.

HEAVYWEIGHT pumpkin grower Martin Gardner has his own secret weapon when it comes to growing pumpkins – a heap of cow manure.

Martin's pumpkin weighed in at an impressive 211lbs and scooped top prize in a competition run by Norwich and Peterborough Building Society.

Each of the 26 entrants were encouraged to grow the heaviest pumpkin possible and raise money for St Elizabeth Hospice at the same time.

Martin, of, nurtured his gigantic pumpkin from a seed received from the hospice.

He said: "Unfortunately they were stuck down with sellotape, which pulled off the outer casing of the seed, only leaving the kernal.

"I didn't think they would grow, but I put them in a heap of cow manure and they obviously did. I'm delighted with my prize and glad to have helped raise money for the hospice."

Martin, a farm worker in Spexhall, near Halesworth, was presented with a wheelbarrow and gardening tools by Mark Lay, who is manager of Norwich and Peterborough's Ipswich branch.

Mr Lay said: "I'm really pleased we could support this year's pumpkin challenge. It's great fun and all for a good cause."

So far the organisers have raised £900 from the event but hope to boost the total by selling the pumpkins to local companies.