A dad plans to make Britain's biggest halloween lantern for his kids after growing a 22 and a half stone pumpkin in his veg patch.

The monster squash is so big that Michael Wilson, 30, had to heave it into his car and take it to an industrial weighbridge at a nearby metal factory to establish its true weight of 22 stone 6.5lbs.

He went in to Gers Metals in Blackhall, County Durham, with a special request.

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The Northern Echo: Michael Wilson with his giant pumpkin Michael Wilson with his giant pumpkin (Image: Michael Wilson with his giant pumpkin)

Michael said: "I went in and said 'I know it's a funny question but can I use your weighbridge to weigh a giant pumpkin?'Everyone came out and took pictures, I was there for a good 20 minutes.

Michael, who is married to Cody, 30, and dad to Michael, 10, Jade, seven, Ethan, four and baby Libby, seven weeks, planted the pumpkin seed in March on his allotment in Horden, County Durham.

The dad, from neighbouring Peterlee, said: "I just took it off the allotment last week because of the heavy rain, otherwise I would have left it on.

"I'm planning to carve it for Halloween to look like it has another pumpkin in its mouth and it's eating it.

"It's been a goal of mine to grow a really big pumpkin and I'll be trying to beat this one next year."

Michael is still a rookie after taking up gardening only three years ago.

Last year he managed a five stone pumpkin and also carrots, leeks and tomatoes he entered in local shows.

The Northern Echo: Michael is now planning to make a huge Halloween lanternMichael is now planning to make a huge Halloween lantern (Image: Michael is now planning to make a huge Halloween lantern)

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Michael added: "Growing this one took time and effort. It needed lots of food plus 60-100 litres of water every day when it was in its growth stage."

Cody said: "The kids love it, they were all able to sit on top of it.

I think it's really good and I'm proud of what Michael accomplished, sticking at something he loves."

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