WHENEVER Halloween approaches, Ledbury's young pumpkin grower Abi Smith thinks about helping others, and this year the nine year old is helping St Michael's Hospice.

Last year, the Ledbury Primary youngster put her home-grown pumpkins on display in the Raft clothing shop and requested donations for Hearing Dogs for the Deaf, raising over £30.

This year, she's delivering vegetables to St Michael's Hospice and putting on pumpkin displays again. Customers can see the displays and make donations at The Market House Cafe and the Raft clothing shop.

Abi, who offered "a massive thank you" to both businesses, said: "I love my allotment in Gorsley. I have my very own plot which I work and grow my own vegetables, and this year I wanted to do something very special.

I decided to grow my own vegetables for St Michaels Hospice Hereford. I have already delivered two lots of my vegetables to them."

Abi was taken to St Michaels Hospice recently by her head teacher, Julie Rees, to deliver the vegetables.

Rachel Vaughan, the catering manager at St Michael's Hospice at Bartestree said: "Abi's passion for growing vegetables is an inspiration. It's been a pleasure to meet here and hear all about the ways she is helping her community."

Abi has been growing vegetables at her Gorsley allotment since the age of two.

Mum Tanya has nothing but praise for her community-minded daughter, calling her "a very special little girl".

Abi also donates vegetables to Ledbury Primary.