PUMPKINS bigger than footballs, three-foot parsnips, and dahlias with colours to sear the retina were the star attractions at Chipperfield's autumn horticultural show today.

The village hall was packed with visitors admiring the vivid flower displays and tables groaning under the weight of rival teams of vegetables.

Peter Corbett told the Watford Observer: "I am a very minor player. I have only entered some jam, which won third prize, but I am staggered by some of the stuff here.

"I don't know how they get the vegetables so uniform in size and texture. The cabbages are amazing and the dahlia displays are superb."

The entries were judged in several categories, with prizes and trophies awarded at 3.30pm.

Chipperfield villager Frank Venables, 60, winner of the Silver Rose Bowl for the most points for flowers, vegetables and fruit combined, said: "I have been gardening for 30 years. My job takes me away a lot, so my wife Linda has to give me a lot of help.

"To get good vegetables you need patience, plenty of manure and a lot of watering.

"I try to grow organically as much as possible, although sometimes with brassicas you get an infestation of whitefly so you have to use some chemicals.

"The real key is good manure."

Roger Pigg of the Chipperfield Horticultural Society said: "There are different points available for different vegetables.

"Four onions grown from seed can get you up to 20 points, but ten radishes are only worth a maximum of ten, so you have to be quite clever in your choice.

"Frank will win some manure given by a local farmer - so he'll probably win next year as well."