Annual giant vegetable growing competition held in Malvern set to take place
12 Guinness World Records were set at the Malvern Autumn Show last year in the event, including one for the heaviest red cabbage which weighed 33kg
People from across the country are set to take part today (26 September) in this year's annual national giant vegetable growing competition in Worcestershire.
Held at the Malvern Autumn Show, the CANNA UK National Giant Vegetables Championship set 12 Guinness World Records and 2 UK/EU records last year.
Records ranged from a 7kg sunflower head, to a 33kg red cabbage, along with a seven metre-long radish.
Jane Edwards is the head of shows at the Three Counties Showground where the event takes place, she says it's fascinating seeing the entries each year.
"It really is kind of the Olympics of the vegetable world," she said.
"We've had carrots over six metres long, pumpkins the size of baby elephants and leeks bigger than your arm, people really can't believe their eyes when they walk into the hall.
"For the vegetable growers it really is the sum of what they've been planning on all year and they're so proud of what they do."
Running over three days, around 65,000 people in total are expected across the period.
Edwards says the competition is "one of the most photographed parts of the show" and is hoping they can have a few more records this time around.
"Last year we broke 12 Guinness World Records so we're hoping to get a similar amount this year," she said.
"I think because the vegetables keep getting bigger though, it becomes more of a challenge for transporting the vegetables here, we had an inquiry a couple of weeks ago as to whether a pumpkin could be delivered by helicopter which was an interesting one.
"Unfortunately that didn't go too far, but there's been a man who's had an appeal going out to get his lot here and it sounds like it's been a real community effort with a local forklift company coming in to save the day."
The show has also set-up a new area for the vegetable growers so they can be easily identified and people can find out more about how they manage to do it
Winners of the competition are expected to be announced on Friday, with the show itself coming to a close on Sunday 28 September.