JUDGES at a giant pumpkin competition in Somerset got more than they bargained for when one entry was large it had to be delivered for weighing - by forklift truck.

Competition organisers needed a forklift to deliver the massive squash at Wookey Hole Caves on Saturday.

The squash – which dragged the scales around to a colossal 927.5 kilos - squashed all other entries at the Somerset resort’s Giant Pumpkin challenge.

Daniel Medley, director at Wookey Hole Caves, said more than 50 entrants had brought their produce to the weigh in – despite one of the most demanding growing seasons ever.

"The number of entries was incredible considering the long summer drought," he said.

"Pumpkins demand large quantities of water and we know some of our local contestants were using cider and apple juice to make up for the lack of rain through the summer.

“We had to employ security guards at the weigh in to ensure people didn’t help themselves to prize-winning pumpkin seeds – which can change hands for thousands of pounds.”

DELIVERY: The giant pumpkin

The poor growing season meant that diehard growers were in with a greater chance of winning the resort's £1,000 prize for the heaviest specimen.

Overall winner of the competition was Ian Paton from Lymington in Hampshire.

Prizes were also presented for the most perfect pumpkin and also the spookiest carved or decorated pumpkin as chosen by the Witch of Wookey Hole.

LOGISTICS: Moving the entry was a challenge...