A monster pumpkin weighing more than a tonne has broken a British record and was so big a telehandler was needed to winch it onto scales at a country show. 

Twin brothers Ian and Stuart Paton, 63, spent three hours a day for three months cultivating the gigantic 188 stone (1198.2kg) squash ready for Malvern Autumn Show.

They then "very carefully" drove four-and-a-half hours from Lymington, Hampshire, to the Royal Three Counties Showground on Thursday (September 26) in a bid for it to be crowned the "world's heaviest pumpkin".

MASSIVE: Ian Paton from Lymington Hampshire with his 1198.2kg British Record for heaviest pumpkin. (Just shy of world record 1247kg) MASSIVE: Ian Paton from Lymington Hampshire with his 1198.2kg British Record for heaviest pumpkin. (Just shy of world record 1247kg) (Image: Emma Trimble / SWNS)

Unfortunately, they fell just short of the world record 1,247kg but were delighted to set a new British record with their creation which weighs the same as a small car.

Green-fingered Ian said: "It has taken a lot of hard work and dedication. 

"Me and my twin brother work as a team and we spent three hours a day over three months tending to it each day. 

HEAVY: A telehandler is used to winch the pumpkin onto scales at Malvern Autumn ShowHEAVY: A telehandler is used to winch the pumpkin onto scales at Malvern Autumn Show (Image: Emma Trimble / SWNS)

"We put the seeds down in April and then pollinate in June, they are quite fast growing and this one is 113 days old. 

"We drove it up in the back of a large Volvo very carefully, staying at around 50mph. You get some strange looks from other drivers that's for sure. 

ENORMOUS: Jamie Spence from Northamptonshire with his cabbageENORMOUS: Jamie Spence from Northamptonshire with his cabbage (Image: Emma Trimble / SWNS)

"Some people pull over further up the road and then follow you again just to get another look. They shout 'is that real?' and we shout back' yep'.

"Nobody is going to be heavier than this today, I'm very confident of that. The sponsors of the show are going to carve it up at the end. 

SHOW: Peter Glazebrook, who has entered into the heaviest cucumber category at Malvern Autumn ShowSHOW: Peter Glazebrook, who has entered into the heaviest cucumber category at Malvern Autumn Show (Image: Emma Trimble / SWNS)

"They have a professional pumpkin carver. I've been told what they are going to turn it into but I'm sworn to secrecy. But it's hilarious." 

BIG: Mark Baggs from Dorset, entered into the heaviest marrow categoryBIG: Mark Baggs from Dorset, entered into the heaviest marrow category (Image: Emma Trimble / SWNS)

Thousands of people are expected to flock to Malvern to catch a glimpse of some gigantic greens from today (Friday) and over the weekend.

Expert growers have already been showing off their prized fruit and vegetables as judging for the UK Giant Vegetables Championships began.