FOUR world records were set at a vegetable growing competition at the Malvern Autumn Festival over the weekend.
The UK National Giant Vegetables Championship consisted of 29 categories which this year drew a record number of 539 entries.
The record for the world’s heaviest chilli was broken at midday by Ian Neale from Newport but he only held that record for just ten minutes before it was snatched from his grasp.
Seasoned grower and best friend, Kevin Fortey from Cwmbran, set the competition alight with his whopping 348g chilli which weighed the same as a can of soup.
Ian’s effort didn’t prove fruitless’ though, as he went on to set the first ever record for the world’s longest chilli at an eye watering 40.1cm.
Mansfield’s Joe Atherton walked away with two new records with the longest parsnip at 6.55m and the longest radish at 6.703m.
Peter Glazebrook also set two UK records with Britain’s heaviest tomato, weighing in at 2.88kg and a radish which tipped the scales at 10.38kg.
Diana Walton, head of shows at Three Counties, said: “We are thrilled that we have seen four new world records in the CANNA UK National Giant Vegetables Championship.
“The passion and perseverance of these growers is amazing and our visitors absolutely love it.
“We never fail to be astounded at the sheer size and scale, they literally are one of the biggest drawers of the show.”
