A RETIRED gamekeeper has smashed the world record for growing the heaviest gooseberry on the planet - but the victory was not without controversy.

Bryan Nellist, 73, unveiled the two-ounce whopper at Egton Bridge Gooseberry Show in North Yorksire - one of just two remaining gooseberry shows in England.

Because of a unique system of weights and measure used in North Yorkshire, it was at first unclear whether or not Mr Nellist had beaten the record-holder of the past 16 years - professional gardener Kelvin Archer, of Cheshire.

Mr Nellist said: "It was all a bit touch and go for a while.

"We thought mine was bigger, but because of the different weighing system we have here, some people from Cheshire thought we might have got it wrong.

"We needed an expert to let us know for certain."

Luckily, Egton Bridge resident David Haddon-Reece - a member of the International Society of Antique Scales Collectors - was also at the show.

Following a complicated calculation, he confirmed that Mr Nellist's berry beat Mr Archer's by a tiny one tenth of a gram.

Mr Haddon-Reece said: "It was very close, but gooseberry growing is taken very seriously here so it was vital that we got an exact comparison.

"Some growers disputed the victory initially, but in the end everyone agreed."

Mr Nellist should be very proud of his achievement.

Mr Nellist, a former gamekeeper at Egton Estate, has been growing gooseberries in his garden for 53 years.

Kelvin Archer is head gardener at Cheshire's Rode Hall, and one of the most respected gardeners in the country.

Mr Nellist said: "Mr Archer is the Christiano Ronaldo of the goosberry world, and it is an honour to beat him.

"I'd been watching my berry for a few weeks before the show and I knew it was going to be a big one, but it never occurred to me it could beat the world record.

"I picked it a few days early because I was afraid it might burst, but if I hadnt it might have been even bigger.

"I've taken the seeds from it to plant for next year - who knows, we might get a few more record-breakers.