GROWERS proudly displayed their massive marrows, enormous onions and colossal cabbages at the Harrogate Autumn Flower Show over the weekend.

There were a record 179 entries in the giant vegetable competition at this year’s show, which included three new classes for novice growers. Among the winners was Richard Mann and his giant pumpkin, which weighed 310.71kg. Peter Glazebrook was a winner with his marrow and heavy onion, which weighed 66.8kg and 6.65kg respectively. Joe Atherton triumphed with his 2.61kg potato, 3.96kg carrot and 16.81kg beetroot.

Up to 40,000 people attended and about 1,000 exhibitors took part in the three-day event, from Friday to today, at the Great Yorkshire Showground.

The show also featured displays from nearly 80 top plant nurseries and Britain’s biggest exhibition of autumn blooms. The 2017 show theme was Postcards from the Hedge exploring the international origins of some of our most popular plants and the daring deeds of plant hunters who risked life and limb to bring us new species.

Best in Show for the plant nursery displays went to Crewe-based heuchera specialists, Plantagogo. Judges awarded 23 premier golds this year, seven up on 2016, with 17 gold awards, 12 silver gilt and six silver.