Gardeners show off giant vegetables at Malvern Autumn Show

Thousands of people are expected to flock to the Three Counties Showground to catch a glimpse of some gigantic greens this weekend.

Expert growers have already been showing off their prized fruit and vegetables today (Thursday, September 21) as judging for the UK Giant Vegetables Championships began.

They have been showcasing their extra large veg - from giant pumpkins to cucumbers over 100cm long - at the showground.

Tom Bailey is hoping to win big at the autumn show (Image: SWNS)

Each year records are expected to be broken with this year being no exception as adjudicators from the National Vegetable Society inspect each offering.

Eleven new Guinness World Records were set at last year’s show, including the heaviest aubergine weighing in at 3.362kg and the longest leek at 1.432m long.

Hoping to have claimed the giant cucumber record this year is Tom Bailey, 32, who says he's narrowly beaten last year’s record by 600 grams.

Tom, from Barry, South Wales, said his cucumber had weighed in at a whopping 13.52kg and measured an enormous 41 inches.

He added: "It’s a 13.52kg cucumber, it was a bit of a surprise. It's my first year entering.

Some of the vegetables have to be craned into place (Image: SWNS)

"It’s a good seed and soil that make it. I've been using alpaca manure. That's helped it, and a bit of luck.

"It’s my first competition. I’ve tried pumpkins before. But I got given some cucumber seeds and I thought I'd chuck them in. I’ve managed to grow a record.

"Mine’s above average for this year, I think the previous record was 12.9kg.

"As long as life don’t take over with the baby I want to try and beat my own record. I want to try cucumbers again."

The popular show is also set to feature Great British Bake Off stars including Crystelle Pereira.