A family-run farm near Salisbury is preparing to welcome visitors to its pumpkin patch ahead of Halloween.

Parsons' Farming, in North Tidworth, is opening its pumpkin picking patch for the fourth year running on Saturday, October 7.

Harvest season has just ended but work for farmer Richard Parsons, 43, has not stopped as he's been gearing up to get the patch ready for visitors.

The father-of-two, who has been farming all his life, is "excited" to see families making memories and said he's extending opening days this year due to demand.

The patch is open every weekend from 9.30am to 4.30pm until the end of October in addition to Wednesday, October 25, during half term.

Salisbury Journal: It's the fourth year Parsons have grown pumpkins.It's the fourth year Parsons have grown pumpkins. (Image: Salisbury Journal)

Mr Parsons said: "It's proper family time where people get to talk to each other. There's no plastic or screens, we just have what grows."

The patch avoids selling carving kits and, to make the operation as sustainable as possible, all of the leftover pumpkins are fed to the family's herd of 300 suckler cows.

Have a look round Parson's Pumpkin Patch

@salisburyjournal Parson's Pumpkin Patch near #Salisbury opens on Saturday, October 7. You can pick as many as you like! #Wiltshire #pumpkin #Halloween #pickyourown #news #localnews ♬ Home (Option 1 - The Young Ebenezers

This year there are more Halloween-themed displays and there's an excellent selection of pumpkins to choose from.

Salisbury Journal: Smaller pumpkins are also for sale.Smaller pumpkins are also for sale. (Image: Salisbury Journal)

"We have a good selection of pumpkins, stripey, white, traditional, warty and green ones. Kids can see where it's growing, it's good for them to get out here," Mr Parsons said.

The Parsons family has been farming the land on Salisbury Plain for generations and the pumpkins were planted at the beginning of June.

Describing his pumpkin patch as "a great place to come and make family memories", Mr Parsons added: "It's good to see it's popular and people want to come. It's nice to see every happy and having a great time."

Tickets for an hour of pumpkin picking at Parson's Farming can be purchased for £6.99 on Eventbrite.

For more information visit eventbrite.co.uk/e/parsons-pumpkin-picking-patch-2023-tickets-713667939017.