THE annual Malvern Autumn Show proved to be one of the biggest and best yet as crowds enjoyed one of the busiest events since the pandemic began.

The event at the Three Counties Showground has been going for 27 years and was jam-packed over the three days it was held.

Expert growers battled it out to win the highly prized first place prize in the much-loved CANNA UK National Giant Vegetables Championship.

This year’s entrants came from far and wide to show their enormous fruit and vegetables, as adjudicators and representatives from the Guinness World Records officiated the competition and announced not just one new Guinness World Record but four.

Vincent Sjodin, of Barry lsland, Wales, went away a new record holder with the heaviest marrow, weighing a whopping 256lbs.

Chris Eldridge, head of shows, said: “We are over the moon that this year’s CANNA UK National Giant Vegetables Championship has resulted in so many new Guinness World Records! Congratulations to all the winners."

A crop of celebrities and famous faces attended this year’s show, including TV chefs Chris Bavin, Rosemary Shrager and Matt Tebutt.

With more than 40 local producers on show at the food and drink village there was something for everyone.

Some of the vendors included Bob’s Curry Hut, Samosa and Sauce, the Sweet Greeks, Brockleby’s Pies, the Original Welsh Oggie Co and Nixon Farm Pen-min-cae Welsh Black Beef and Lamb.

For those with a sweet tooth there was Brownies Rock, Fat Bottom Welsh Cakes, Ivor’s Ice Cream, and Yoghurt Delights among others.

Drink vendors included Herefordshire's Gun Dog Gin, Harley House Distillery and Malvern Cider.

There was plenty on for families, including a family green play area offering games and activities hosted by Lee Connelly, the Skinny Jean Gardener from Blue Peter.

The firm favourites with the little ones were the steam trains, vintage fairground rides, the climbing wall and of course the giant tortoises who very much enjoyed the attention.

Discover Harvest was also a hit, this mini harvest festival created by children, was packed with imaginative home makes including creatures from fruit and vegetables, decorated plant pots and snaps of ‘Wildlife’ and ‘Life in Lockdown’.

The next big event at the showground will be the RHS Spring Festival in May next year.