Pumpkin breaks the scales at school gardening competition

GREEN-FINGERED pupils at Harlyn School in Northwood took part in a pumpkin growing competition, with the winner weighing a staggering 13.5kg.

The contest saw classes plant three seeds in a pot and choose the healthiest, which was transplanted into the school garden and cared for by the children.

The winning pumpkin, which broke the scales during a tense weighing session, was produced by class RJ, with help from teacher Miss Meadows and teaching assistant Mrs MacDonald.

Runners up classes 3P and 4M grew significantly smaller pumpkins by comparison, weighing 3.8kg and 2.75kg respectively.

They were all rewarded with prizes including sweets and seeds at a special assembly at the school, in Tolcarne Drive, this morning.

Headteacher, Jackie Lack, said: "Our school garden has been established for six years and we hold popular competitions every year, which have included hanging baskets and potato growing.

"The children always enjoy themselves and are very dedicated. Everyone was amazed by the size of the winning pumpkin - it dwarfed the others and some teachers even joked that it had been genetically modified!

"We will begin growing more fruit, vegetables and plants in the spring."