GARDENERS compared crops to find out who grows the best grub at the Southminster Show at the weekend.
The event welcomed hundreds of visitors and competitors to three marquees for handicrafts, floral art and horticulture.
Punters turned up to see a motorbike stunt display, dog agility course, face painters, coconut shy and a display of vintage vehicles among attractions.
The winner of a drawing competition at Southminster primary school, Megan Davidson, was chosen as the show's princess with the two runner-ups, Stephanie Little and Laura Spatknon, as her consorts.
There is keen rivalry among competitors to grow the longest runner beans or straightest carrots.
Rick Pond, 47, from Asheldham, who won several awards for his vegetable yield this year, said: "People's noses can be put out of joint a little bit by the winners of each competition.
"Let's just say that things can get heated. I remember accusations of cheating in the past, but it's usually comical and good natured. It's all good fun really."
The show, held at the King George V Memorial Field, is the largest one of its kind in the Dengie, drawing more than 500 entries for the competitions.
Mr Pond said: "I put in a lot of hard work and I always try to win. I won a few of the categories, including the potato cup, but I don't want to show off too much.
"It is a fantastic show and a brilliant day out for the whole family. The people who organise it do a great job, you can see what it means to them for the show to be a success and it usually is."
Chairman Liz Smith, 59, from Southminster, said: "It was a great day out and even though it was hard work for everyone who was involved in the organisation it was well worth it in the end.
"A lot of people told me it was the best show for quite some time and everything went to plan.
"All of the entertainment was fabulous.
"As well as the traditional events there are marquees containing local organisations, a small farmers' market and of course commercial stalls.
"There was a really good, creative atmosphere and we all pulled together to make it a great day. Nisa supermarket sponsored the event and was fantastic."
