Crushing pumpkin! Twins’ monster veggie weighing 188 stone sets a new British record after they had to use a crane to get it to the country show

Two twin brothers have broken a British record after growing a monster pumpkin that weighs more than a tonne and is so big it requires a crane to lift it onto a scale at a provincial show.

Ian and Stuart Paton, 63, spent three hours a day for three months growing the giant 188-stone (1,198.2kg) pumpkin in Lymington, Hampshire.

Then today they ‘very carefully’ drove four and a half hours to the Malvern Autumn Show in a bid to have it crowned ‘the heaviest pumpkin in the world’.

Unfortunately they fell just short of the world record of 1,247kg, but they were delighted to set a new British record with their creation, which weighs the same as a small car.

Green-fingered Ian said: “It has taken a lot of hard work and dedication.

Ian Paton photographed his giant pumpkin that he grew with his twin brother for the show

The giant pumpkin weighing 188 bricks (1198.2 kg) needs a cran to lift it because it is so heavy

The giant pumpkin is pictured at the Malvern Autumn Show, where thousands of people are expected to attend

A man holds a giant onion ahead of the British National Giant Vegetable Championships at the Malvern Autumn Show

A competitor holds up a huge radish he submitted ahead of the giant vegetable championship

Two competitors pose with giant bone marrow they used to take part in the Malvern Autumn Show

A man carries a giant vegetable to the Three Counties Showground in Malvern for the show

A competitor transports celery ahead of the British National Giant Vegetable Championship

‘Me and my twin brother work as a team and we spent three hours a day doing it for three months.

‘We put the seeds down in April and pollinated them in June, they grow quite quickly and this one is 113 days old.

‘We drove him very carefully into the back of a large Volvo, maintaining a speed of about 80 km/h. You’ll get strange looks from other drivers, that’s for sure.

‘Some people stop a little further on and then follow you again to take another look. They shout ‘is that real?’ and we shout back ‘yes’.

‘No one will be heavier than this today, I have every confidence in that. The show’s sponsors are going to split it at the end.

“They have a professional pumpkin carver. I’ve been told what they’re going to make of it, but I’m sworn to secrecy. But it’s hilarious.’

Thousands of people are expected to flock to the Worcestershire city tomorrow and this weekend to catch a glimpse of giant greens.

Expert growers have already showcased their prized fruit and vegetables as judging for the UK Giant Vegetable Championships began.