A green-fingered gardener from Marlow has managed to grow a monster pumpkin - just in time for Halloween.

Young trick or treaters celebrating the spooky tradition on October 31 will this year be able to marvel at the giant 177lb pumpkin in Claremont Road.

Bernard Carter first planted the pumpkin at Foxes Piece allotments in mid-May after leaving it to germinate in his airing cupboard since April 1 and says it has “grown and grown” ever since.

The giant vegetable – which weighs almost as much as a baby elephant and needs ten cans of water a day – is a first for Mr Carter, who usually grows giant marrows for his “friends and family’s amusement.”

He said: “I grew it from a giant pumpkin seed, not the sort of seeds you would buy from a garden centre.

“It is in a plot that is about ten yards long and two yards wide and it uses up most of that space for its root system. It is now 2ft 6in high.

“It is very heavy and very dense but it is still a baby in comparison to some of those grown across the country. It’s not the biggest in the world but it’s definitely the biggest one in Marlow.”

Earlier this month, a giant pumpkin grown in Chelmsford, Essex, set a new UK record after weighing in at 1,333.8lb.

Marlow’s very own massive pumpkin will be on display at Mr Carter’s home until after Halloween.

He added: “It is now on our doorstep so people can pass by and take a look. We are keeping it until after Halloween when it will be composted.”