Tom Butt, from Linton near Ross-on-Wye, has topped the scales for the second successive year in a popular pumpkin growing competition.

Eight-year-old Tom used a wheelbarrow to move his giant 42kg pumpkin into the hall at Monmouth School Boys’ Prep for the weigh-in.

Tom said: “It feels so good to win the competition twice in a row and I might try to grow an even bigger one next year.

“We start growing our pumpkins on January 1st and that’s why we can get them to grow so big.

“We use stuff from the compost heap to feed our pumpkin patch and it seems to work well.”

Headteacher at Monmouth School Boys’ Prep, Mr Neil Shaw, said: “Growing a pumpkin successfully can take months so the boys showed patience, nurturing skills and excellent judgement.

“It’s an annual event at the school and the standard of competition is always high.

“We also award prizes for the best colour pumpkin, perfect shape and the most perfect Cinderella carriage.

“All the boys who took part this year should be very proud of their efforts.”See this week’s paper for more stories like this, available in shops and as a Digital Edition now.