Pumpkin jam! Britain’s biggest squash that weighs 2,656lbs causes traffic chaos after toppling off trailer into busy road while being transported to pumpkin festival

• The gourd, which weighs as much as a Fiat 500, was grown by Ian and Stuart Paton, 61, of Lymington, Hants
• It was travelling back from being weighed in Berkshire, where it was confirmed as the UK’s heaviest ever
• The squash was being moved to Sunnyfields Farm near Southampton, Hants, for a pumpkin festival
• Relieved grower Ian said it did not suffer any ‘serious damage’, only minor ‘bruising’, despite the incident

Britain’s biggest pumpkin caused traffic chaos when it fell off its trailer and into a busy road.

The giant gourd, which weighs as much as a Fiat 500, blocked traffic when the trailer it was being transported on tipped over.

The 2,656lbs squash (1,205kg), grown by Ian and Stuart Paton from Lymington, Hants, was travelling back from being weighed in Berkshire, where it was officially confirmed as the UK’s heaviest ever.

Twins Ian and Stuart, 61, only missed out on achieving a new world record with the pumpkin by 47lbs.

The gourd – which was being moved to Sunnyfields Farm near Southampton, Hants, for a pumpkin festival – escaped with only minor ‘bruising’.

Twins Polly and Etta on top of the giant pumpkin. The 2,656lbs squash (1,205kg) was grown by Ian and Stuart Paton from Lymington, Hants

Britain’s biggest pumpkin caused traffic chaos when it fell off its trailer and into a busy road. Relieved grower Ian Paton said it did not suffer any ‘serious damage’ despite the incident

The giant gourd, which weighs as much as a Fiat 500, blocked traffic when the trailer it was being transported on tipped over

Pictures from the scene show the 1,205kg squash falling from the trailer and into a roadside hedge just outside the farm it was being delivered to.

As tailbacks formed, the pumpkin had to be recovered from the road using a telehandler machine with straps tied around its base.

Relieved grower Ian Paton said it did not suffer any ‘serious damage’ despite the incident.

Ian said: ‘We were moving the pumpkin into a different car park and it was so heavy that the trailer tipped.

‘There will have been lots of photos taken I’m sure. It’s not very often you see a pumpkin like that. I’m sure its going to go viral now, but it’s all good publicity.

‘Luckily the pumpkin wasn’t seriously damaged and no one was hurt. It has got a few bruises but nothing major.

‘It will now be going on display at Sunnyfields Farm where everyone can come and take pictures with it.’

Ian’s granddaughter Martha Syrett, 3, with the giant pumpkin, which has officially been confirmed as the UK’s heaviest ever

Pictures from the scene show the 1,205kg squash falling from the trailer and into a roadside hedge just outside the farm it was being delivered to

As tailbacks formed, the pumpkin had to be recovered from the road using a telehandler machine with straps tied around its base

The gourd – which was being moved to Sunnyfields Farm near Southampton, Hants, for a pumpkin festival – escaped with only minor ‘bruising’

The twins’ pumpkin broke their own previous UK record, being 63lbs heavier than the pumpkin they grew in 2020 that weighed in at 2,593lbs.

They have another huge pumpkin in their vegetable patch, which they are hopeful will break the world record that has so far eluded them.

The twins’ other ‘monster’ will be weighed at Sunnyfields Farm next weekend, and they are hoping it can safely be transported there without incident.

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