Gardeners have broken six giant vegetable world records at the Malvern Autumn Show - including an enormous 7.8m (25ft) radish and a whopping 8m (26ft) runner bean plant.



More than 65,000 people are expected to flock to the Three Counties Showground this weekend to catch a glimpse of the giant produce on display.

Among the winners is veteran grower Peter Glazebrook, 81, who bagged top prize for the world's tallest runner bean plant and the longest aubergine.

His runner bean plant measured an impressive 8m (26ft) tall while his aubergine weighed 4.3kg and was 49cm long.

Other winners include Joe Atherton with his 7.8 metre long radish and Kevin & Gareth Fortey with their longest sweet pepper at 26.7cm

Graham Barratt also claimed a new record with his 11.6 (38ft) metre tall luffa plant.

Elsewhere, Chris Marriott took the top prize for the world's heaviest Celeriac, weighing an impressive 8.01kg (1.2 stone).

Peter, from Nottingham said: "I've been fortunate enough to win the world record for the longest aubergine, so that's another record for me."

"Also I've got the world record for the tallest runner bean plant at first attempt. It will take a bit of beating that record."

"It's a challenge set for everyone else now."

Joe, from Mansfield, Notts., said: "I've been growing giant veg for probably too long."

"Me wife is my secret for the long veg, she has to clean it. I've held 21 world records and I still hold six of them."

"This year I've won all the long veg, the carrot, the parsley, the beetroot, the radish, the long cucumber, two classes in the onions, the cantaloupe melon and I've won the potato. "

"I've had a good show."

New world record holder Graham Barratt added: "I've managed to set the world record for the tallest luffa plant in the world."

"It has three fruits on it and the fruits are there to demonstrate that it is actually a luffa plant."

"And also you need the fruit to ensure the thing keeps on growing, otherwise they die very quickly. It was 11.672m and it's a world record."

"That's a nice new record for growers to have a go at in the future."

Other highlights from the show include countless giant pumpkins, many of which have had to be craned in using specialist forklifts.

Kate Dufton, Show Manager at Malvern Autumn Show, said: "We're absolutely over the moon with the number of entries world records broken at this year's CANNA UK National Giant Vegetables Championship."

"It's a real testament to the dedication and passion of the growers, and it's fantastic to see so many visitors inspired by the fun and possibilities of growing your own food – especially when it comes in giant form."