Competition is brewing at Muncaster Castle, with the largest pumpkins in the land being grown ready for a spooky competition.

Staff and volunteers at the castle have been nurturing their baby plants, talking and singing to them to produce the greatest pumpkin around.

“It has certainly given them ‘pumpkin’ to talk about!”Castle Curator and pumpkin competition organiser Sharon Arrowsmith said.

Although some of the giant vegetables have fallen victim to unfriendly weather, plenty have remained strong, and will be judged this Saturday.

Everyone is welcome to the event, and can even enter their own creations in the ‘best dressed pumpkin’ category.

They can also take part in a raffle and games, and walk the stalls in the castle’s stable yard.

Judging of the Muncaster Pumpkins will take place at 12.30pm, and entrants from the public will be judged at 2pm, followed by an auction of donated pumpkins and produce.

All money raised from the event and competition will be split between Cancer Research UK and Conservation Projects at Muncaster Castle.

This event is all part of the preparations for Muncaster’s annual Halloween Festival which will take place on October 25-31, and November 1 and 2.