FOR decades the North-East has been proud of its status as leek-growing capital of the world.

But the title for the best in the business has been stolen from under the noses of the region's best - by a Yorkshireman.

Top leek men in the region gathered yesterday at Easington Colliery Club and Institute for the annual leek, flower and vegetable show only to see the title - and world record for the biggest pair - carried off by Walter Stringfellow, of Wakefield.

There was a stunned silence when Mr Stringfellow carried in his twin blanch leeks - prompting the show's two independent judges to go scurrying for the record books.

And sure enough, the pair's combined mass of 373.49 cubic inches made them world beaters.

Organisers of the annual show, which attracts entrants from throughout the country, were even more awestruck when Mr Stringfellow told them he had already broken the same record with two other leeks - only the day before at West Bromwich.

Gordon Golightly, a show organiser, said: "I was a bit taken aback when he brought the leeks - they look like a pair of white legs."

He added: "The show was full yesterday afternoon and it should be even more popular today, when it is open from 9.30am to 9pm."

Mr Golightly said he had no idea of the grower's secret. "I don't know how he gets them to that size," he said. "I only wish I did."