Villagers gather at Stubton village hall for the annual Longest Carrot Competition

After a hugely successful village competition involving mammoth marrows, a follow-up contest involving colossal carrots has seen more vast veggies on display.

Growers gathered at Stubton village hall on Friday for the annual Longest Carrot Competition, in its sixth year of the contest.

This year’s winner, proudly grown by long-time vegetable enthusiast Mike Libby, measured in at a whopping 720mm from tip to top.

The measuring of the carrots was undertaken by Sam Kirk, chairman of Stubton Parish Council, who was ably assisted by his eldest son Ralph, who declared the champion carrot to be “an incredible example of local horticultural dedication.”

But Mike insisted that he had merely “just sowed it, watered it and fundamentally ignored it” — with several teasing suggestions as to what he could do with it later.

“I really didn’t think it would grow this long though due to the challenging growing weather this year,” Mike said. “Really, anyone can give this a go.”

Second place went to Ian Phillips, and third place was claimed by Ted Critchley, with only millimetres between the top three.

Following the judging, the carrots were displayed for all to see before being distributed to those attending, for making of carrot-based delicacies at home.

Sam Kirk added: “It’s not every day you see vegetables measured in millimetres — but that’s what makes our village special.”

Plans are already sprouting for next year’s Longest Carrot Competition, with a date to be confirmed.

The next horticultural challenge requiring the attention of villagers will be the Potato-in-a-Bucket event.

This popular annual event attracts around 35 entrants each year and sees participants aim to grow the biggest potatoes in buckets from the planting of the seeds in February until weigh-in in July.