Essex man who grew UK's heaviest pumpkin is now turning it into a boat

The giant pumpkin is being turned into a boat Credit: ITV News Anglia

An Essex man who secured a record for growing the UK's heaviest outdoor pumpkin is now turning it into a boat so he can race it.

Matthew Oliver, who is a Horticulturist at Garden Hyde Hall near Chelmsford, has been hollowing out his pumpkin to turn it into a boat and will race three other super sized squashes.

He is hoping to paddle his giant pumpkin for 150 metres, but admits there is a high chance it will simply sink.

The giant pumpkins are taken into the lake Credit: ITV News Anglia