A GIANT veg grower is celebrating after coming first in a giant pumpkin competition.
Ben White, who grows giant vegetables in Heybridge, won the Giant Pumpkin Competition at RHS Hyde Hall.
The 32 year-old project manager started growing the unusual veg as a hobby four years ago.
He had originally planned to take the winning pumpkin, nicknamed Greta, straight to the weigh-off last Saturday, October 2.
However after he was asked if he could showcase at the Chelsea Flower Show, Ben decided to feature the first giant pumpkin shown at the famous flower show.
It was included in a display called the Global Growth Vegetable Garden Harvest.
Greta the pumpkin was cut two weeks early, and transported from Heybridge to Chelsea with the help of Ben's friend Matthew Oliver from The Global Growth Vegetable Garden of RHS Hyde Hall.
It had to be lifted into a van on a pallet using a forklift and wrapped in foam padding.
The huge pumpkin took just 80 days to grow, planted in early April with a seed from America.
It grew to a huge 758lbs, a new personal best for Ben in what he says was a very challenging growing season.
A testament to his effort, Greta was crowned first place at the competition in RHS Hyde Hall.
Another personal best for Ben, his second pumpkin named Gloria wasn't entered but was weighed and displayed at the show, and came in close to Greta at 729lbs.
Ben said: "After the shows I intend to raise money for the Essex and Herts air ambulance and will put them on display outside the family home for a couple of weeks to the run up to Halloween.
"Last year the pumpkins got a lot of attention from the local community and everyone came down to have photos. I think it would be a nice touch to give back to a great cause in our area.
"I've been getting so much support from friends and family and it's nice to give something back."
Since the Chelsea Flower Show Ben's pumpkins have received a lot of attention on his Instagram page, BWhitesVeg.
"It was nice to meet celebs such as Alan Titchmarsh, Anthea Turner, Zoe Ball and Alexandra Burke," Ben added.
"Myself and Horticulturalist Matthew Oliver of RHS Hyde Hall even got a mention on the Zoe Ball Radio Breakfast Show.
"I intend to grow again next year but will grow something much bigger."
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