FOR someone who really knows their onions, a £1,000 bonus awaits.

But attempts to beat the six-year-old world record for a heavy onion already look doomed to failure.

The heavy onion competition is always a main attraction at Harrogate's Autumn Flower Show, no more so that in 1995 when, to gasps by onlookers, Scot Mel Ednie won the trophy with a whopping 15lb 15oz.

A spokesman for the show, which runs at the Great Yorkshire Showground during the weekend of September 14-16, said the record-breaking onion was proving very difficult to beat.

But a £1,000 bonus remains up for grabs should a new super onion emerge.

"The contest certainly sorts out the men from the boys," said the show's spokesman.

The event, staged by the North of England Horticultural Society, has attracted almost 100 of Britain's leading horticultural nurseries.

Advance tickets are available with a £2 discount before noon on Friday, September 7, by calling the ticket hotline on 0870 758 3333. Children under 16 are admitted free.