IT will take a few strong men to ensure that all is safely gathered in for a harvest festival this weekend.

Four giant vegetables grown by veteran gardener Jimmy Reid, 85, will greet worshippers at St Agatha's Church, Gilling West, near Richmond, North Yorkshire, tomorrow.

Mr Reid had hoped to exhibit the cucumber, pumpkin, marrow and tomato at the Malvern Autumn Show, in Worcestershire, last weekend, but he was unable to find anyone to transport them.

Instead, he has given them to the church for the annual service of thanksgiving.

The pumpkin weighs more than 500lbs, the marrow 90lbs, the cucumber 17lbs and the tomato, which is 21 inches round, three-and-a-half pounds.

Mr Reid said: "I couldn't get them down to the show, but I have been told that they could well have won some prizes.

"I thought it would be nice to offer them to the church and someone from the church said they would pick them up. They will take a bit of moving."