This year’s wet and cold summer put paid to a Pembroke Dock headteacher’s plan to grow a record giant pumpkin.

But instead Michele Thomas turned her attention to producing a giant long squash which was just 20 cms short of the European record.

At the weekend’s Malvern Autumn Show Ms Thomas was undeterred.

“This year has been very tricky growing giant veg with the wet and cold conditions and my giant pumpkins failed," she said.

“Last year one of my pumpkins weighed over 40 stone.

“So I brought these two tromboncino for display only and I’ll try again next year.

“I am still chasing the world record for something,” she smiled.

The longest of the tromboncino was 62 inches which is just  short of the European record and Ms Thomas, who is head at Pembroke Dock Community School, will use the seed from it for next year.

But her neighbours will still enjoy the Halloween display outside her Broadhaven home – she has enough smaller pumpkins for that.