THE very best of the season's fruit and vegetables were on display at this year's show.

Mammoth vegetables attracted the crowds, including a huge green 600lb squash which broke the British record for the heaviest of its kind and had to be carried into the Harvest Pavilion on a fork-lift truck.

Other giants included a 72lb cabbage, a 7 stone 12lb marrow and a 12lb onion. Carrots and parsnips as tall as people were also on show, while the longest carrot measured an incredible 14ft 8ins.

Vegetable enthusiast Chris Docker, from Hanley Swan, who exhibits at the Autumn Garden & Country Show every year, said the quality of exhibits this year had been outstanding.

A regular prize-winner at shows throughout the region, Chris, a member of the National Vegetable Society, said it had been a busy show and very enjoyable.

"It's the last show of the year and in another month I'll be getting the beds ready for next year," he said.

"I really do enjoy growing the vegetables and showing them," explained Chris, who concentrates on carrots, parsnips and onions and has had already got his new seed catalogues ready to place his order.

He said all growers had their special techniques, some of which were closely guarded secrets.

"We talk together but we don't give away everything," said Chris, who joked that, at 57, he was regarded as one of the youngsters when it came to vegetable growing and there was always more to learn.