TWIN brothers from the New Forest are hoping to smash the UK record for the biggest pumpkin with this monster squash.

Ian and Stuart Paton, 54, from Pennington, are confident of beating their own record after growing a 1,884lbs specimen last autumn.

This year's gigantic contender has a circumference of 17ft 7in and stands 5ft 6in tall.

The pumpkin will be weighed today at the Autumn Pumpkin Festival in Netley, which raises money for the Jubilee Sailing Trust charity.

Ian said: "We had six pumpkins growing this year, but lost two. They grew 480lbs in 10 days - an average of 48lbs a day.

"We lost them because of a tiny hole that went into the cavity of the pumpkin. We have very strict rules and the hole meant they were damaged."

Pointing to the potential prize-winner, he added: "I don't know what we are going to do with this one after it's been weighed. Maybe we'll do something with Children in Need or make it into pumpkin boats with motors attached."

The brothers believe they could one day beat the world record for the biggest ever pumpkin, which stands at 2,323lbs.

They claim the secret to growing a massive squash is "a well-balanced diet".

Ian said: "They require a lot of water. When they're growing at full speed they need 450 litres of water a day."

The tiny tot sitting on top of the pumpkin is one-year-old Ralph Hamilton.

Ian added: "He absolutely loved it - he's a super model."

The Paton twins have been growing pumpkins for about 10 years and Ian admits it has become something of an addiction.

He said: "It all started when we were growing a pumpkin a while ago.

"I remember coming back from holiday with Stuart. We legged it down the garden to have a look - and there was this big pumpkin.

"It wasn't too huge - about 64lbs - but it had shot up like in Jack and the Beanstalk.

"It's amazing watching them grow so much - there's nothing like it. They're just incredible."