VEGETABLE loving youngsters joined forces with their parents and teachers to put on a varied and colourful produce show.

Hosted at Holmwood House School, in Lexden, a fifth annual produce show and coffee morning raised £466 for Macmillan Cancer Support.

The groups put forward almost 200 entries across 43 categories, including garden produce, baking, a family section and a homemade drinks section.

The show capped off a year of encouraging pupils to get gardening, both on the school's allotment and at home.

Thomas Carpenter, visiting National Vegetable Society judge, said he was "amazed" by the standard of produce presented.

Exhibits encompassed every type fruit and veg imaginable, from a 24kg giant marrow to bizarre looking gourds.

There were creatures sculpted from fruits, flowers in unusual containers, homemade cakes, honey and sloe gin.

The winner of the 'weed of which to be proud' competition entered an astonishing 6ft tall weed.

A school spokesman said: "The day proved to be a fantastic family event with lots of smiles, certificates awarded and money raised."