A green-fingered dad was stunned when he grew a monster 53st pumpkin - thanks to cow dung.

Lee Herrington, 55, uses more than 10 gallons of water a day to grow his enormous vegetable.

The dad-of-one says the secret to his success is planting the right seeds and using cow manure for essential nutrients.

He previously held two world records for the longest and heaviest runner bean in 2022 but has now set his sights on one day growing the biggest ever squash.

The current world record for the heaviest squash is a whopping 154.6st grown by Todd and Donna Skinner in Ohio, US, in 2021.

Caretaker Lee says his prize plant has a circumference of 111 inches (281cm) and measures a whopping 74 inches (200cm) long.

The vegetable is so big it will be craned onto a flatbed truck using a heavy-duty forklift when Lee displays it at the Malvern Autumn show later this month.

Lee, from Stourbridge, West Mids., said: "This one absolutely flummoxed me because of the size and shape of it. "

"I know it will do well at the Malvern Show but without other people I couldn't get it there."

"In six days it grew 100lb in weight. Squashes really love hot weather and the timing has been perfect, we've had some lovely hot days so it's just gone boom."

"We're in good shape and it's still gaining, I'd like to think it has a good chance of winning when we enter it in the Autumn Show."

Despite his exact growing methods being a closely guarded secret, Lee has shared his top tips for achieving giant veg.

He said: "The biggest tip I can share is to make friends with other giant vegetable growers, genetics are everything in this game. "

"If you think you're going to grow a big pumpkin from shop seeds, you'll be disappointed. People use closed pollination to create these monsters. "

"If you use closed genetics you can control how that plant performs. Feed is important and soil condition. Pruning and pests and diseases. "

"For watering it depends on weather conditions. We've been in a drought and I've got water barrels down the plot and I water it regularly. "

"Sometimes people can overwater things. Squashes absolutely love water and there are techniques that we use to maximise root growth. "

"Organic matter is important in my opinion, I'm into organically grown stuff. It's manure, cow manure is a very good source of what they need. "

"I also use green manure which is something called field beans. Before they flower in April I chop them down into the ground and dig them in. "

"They have nitrogen nodules and it's important for plant growth."

Lee is confident he can claim top prize for his squash when he exhibits it on September 26.

He added: "Competition is fierce at Malvern. It's what's known on the circuit as ‘The Nationals'."

"I have achieved cards in several categories, but coming first is always the goal, and I feel my massive green squash might have a chance of securing that this year."