A record was set in one of the North-East's foremost leek and onion shows at the weekend.

An onion weighing 16lb 8oz not only scooped the top prize in Newcastle Federation Breweries' World's Heaviest Leek and Onion show, but it was the biggest in its 26-year history.

It was grown by 54-year-old brick layer's labourer Albert Attewell, from Ilkeston, Derbyshire, who paid tribute to seven-times winner, retired Easington Colliery miner Billy Lamb, for passing on his growing secrets.

The prize for the best leeks in the show, in Ashington, went to new entrant - Mark Arnott, 58, of North Shields, who achieved a capacity of 503.79 cubic inches with his three-leek display.

Mr Arnott, who has been growing leeks for 25 years, said: "This is the absolute ultimate to win the world championship. You just cannot do any better.

"Every now and again, it all comes together for some people and this was my year. I knew I had a good chance when I lifted the leeks from the trench."

Mr Arnott has been placed eighth and tenth in the show in past years. In addition to the £1,300 prize money, he was awarded £50 for the biggest single leek in the show that measured 174.79 cubic inches.

Show organiser and secretary of the Northern Club, Dickie Atkinson, said: "There is still plenty of interest in the show. It goes from strength to strength.

"Growers are attracted by the high levels of sponsorship.

"The lad who broke the world record with his onion at Harrogate two weeks ago - John Sifford from Halesowen in the West Midlands - was only runner-up here."