THE beast from the east and blistering summer temperatures have failed to faze growers in the world-famous giant vegetable competition at Harrogate Autumn Flower Show.

The show, which runs from September 14 to 16, is celebrating yet another record number of entries and monster specimens for this year’s battle of the bulge.

Harrogate Flower Show is also hosting the 2018 National Vegetable Society UK championships, with pristine produce from across the country vying for coveted national titles.

Up to 40,000 visitors and 1,000 exhibitors are expected to take part in the three-day event at the Great Yorkshire Showground, which also features displays from nearly 50 top plant nurseries and over 5,000 autumn blooms in Britain’s biggest exhibition by specialist gardening societies.

This year’s Best in Show for the plant nursery displays went to RV Roger of Pickering for their display of apples and The Rose Society UK won Best in Show for educational and scientific exhibits.

Judges awarded 19 premier golds, with 24 gold awards, 19 silver gilt, six silver and one bronze.

The 2018 garden border competition saw three gold medals awarded, plus two silver gilts and one silver medal.