Despite a challenging growing season, Verwood and District Horticultural Society's Autumn Show saw a surge in participation and exhibits.

The event, held at the Memorial Hall on Saturday, September 14, attracted 63 competitors who showcased a diverse array of flowers, vegetables, cakes, and handicrafts.

This year, the show saw a 28 per cent increase in exhibits, with more than 360 items on display.

Visitors were treated to a vibrant array of roses, chrysanthemums, dahlias, and gladioli.

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Chester Dibben, five, won the prize for the heaviest pumpkin which weighed in at a whopping 64.5kg (Image: Verwood & District Horticultural Society) Children's classes were also well-represented with finger puppets, superhero vegetable character drawings, and handmade Christmas tree decorations.

Nine-year-old Annie-Rose Vincent won the best junior exhibit with her rabbit collage made from items collected on a walk.

The event concluded with the presentation of 33 trophies and £280 worth of vouchers for the best exhibits.

The Banksian Medal, an annual RHS prize for most points across all flower, vegetable, and fruit classes, was awarded to Bill Howarth, who also clinched eight of the main trophies.

The winners of "The Great Verwood Grow Off," a children's growing contest launched earlier in the year by the VDHS, were also revealed.

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Tilly Greensmith, nine, won the prettiest calendula category (Image: Verwood & District Horticultural Society) Hillside First School's reception class won the tallest sunflower competition with a 305cm plant.

Nine-year-old Tilly Greensmith took the prettiest calendula category with a vase of orange and yellow pot marigolds.

The contest's centrepiece was a line of enormous pumpkins, with the heaviest, grown by five-year-old Chester Dibben, weighing 64.5kg.

Each growing champion received a £20 toy shop voucher.

The VDHS meets on the first Thursday of every month at 7.30pm in the Verwood Memorial Hall.

New members and visitors are always welcome.

The next meeting is on October 3, featuring a talk from Tim Woodland on "Bulbs for Spring, Summer & Autumn".

For more information, visit verwoodhorticulturalsociety.co.uk.