40st squash among enormous entries at annual National Giant Vegetables Contest

GOOD gourd, that’s enormous! Youngster Clara Smith climbs on to the heaviest squash at the annual National Giant Vegetables Contest.

Clara, six, was pictured with the 40st whopper, grown by Oliver Newman, among a sea of other garden goliaths.

Rex

Scores of growers have entered their efforts, including Carl Lambourne, 52, who was not alone in having to forklift his on to weighing scales.

Carl, who entered a 24½st pumpkin, said: “I had to transport it here on a trailer. You get funny looks on the road!”

Joe Atherton, 67, meanwhile, beat his own record for the longest turnip, jumping from 13ft in 2019 to 15ft this year.

Grandad-of-nine Joe, of Mansfield, Notts, said: “You always breathe a sigh of relief once its transported and official on the judges’ table.”

Other winners were Sebastian Suski with the longest cucumber — 3ft 8ins — and Peter Glazebrook with a world record 7lb-plus aubergine.

More than 10,000 gardening fans are expected at the annual show this weekend at The Three Counties Showground in Malvern, Worcs.

SWNS

An enormous pumpkin grown by Carl Lambourne had to be transported by forklift[/caption]

PA

Peter Glazebrook set a world record for the size of his aubergine[/caption]

SWNS

A colossla cabbage was put on show at the National Giant Vegetables Contest[/caption]

SWNS

A mega marrow is taken to the show, expected to be attended by 10,000 visitors[/caption]