James, Tom (overall winner), Aston and Stirling.

An eight-year-old boy is celebrating after topping the scales for the second successive year in a popular pumpkin growing competition.

Tom used a wheelbarrow to move his giant 42kg pumpkin into the main hall at Monmouth School Boys’ Prep for the eagerly-awaited weigh-in on Monday 29th October.

Tom’s pumpkin was the heaviest entry in Year 4 and in the school overall.

He said: “It feels so good to win the competition two times in a row and I might try to grow an even bigger one next year.

“We start growing our pumpkins on 1st January and that’s why we can get them to grow so large. We use stuff from the compost heap to feed our pumpkin patch and it seems to work well.”

Aston, aged 9, secured the Year 5  prize with his 21.8 kg pumpkin.

Stirling, aged 7, topped the scales in Year 3 with his 28.3kg effort, while 10-year-old James carried off the Year 6 prize.

Headteacher at Monmouth School Boys’ Prep, Mr Neil Shaw, said: “Growing a pumpkin successfully can take months so the boys showed patience, nurturing skills and excellent judgement.

“It’s an annual event at the school and the standard of competition is always high.

“We also award prizes for the best colour pumpkin, perfect shape and the most perfect Cinderella carriage.

“All the boys who took part this year should be very proud of their efforts.”

Tom, aged 8, with his winning pumpkin.