This enormous pumpkin weighs in at 465kg (or 1,025lbs) – about the same weight as five baby elephants – and took centre stage at the opening of the York Maze Halloween festivities on Sunday (October 25).
It was grown by Mal Carter of Middlesbrough, and had to be craned into place at the venue on Elvington Lane. He won £500 for his swollen squash.
The maze hosts the International Great Pumpkin Commonwealth competition for the North of England. In the children’s category, six year old Ed Stansfield of Hebden Bridge took the prize for a pumpkin which, at 39kg (86lbs) weighed more than he did.
Mal’s giant pumpkin is being turned into the UK’s biggest pumpkin carving by artist Christian Russell.
It will be on display at York Maze until the end of the Halloween festival on Saturday, November 1.