Man who grew world's longest cucumber says prayer is his secret to success

A man who has broken a world record for growing the world's longest cucumber says his secret is praying to the plant every day.

Raghbir Singh Sanghera feeds the 49-inch plant - which is still growing - with water and fertiliser in the morning, lunchtime and evening, and sits next to it for three hours a day.

The 75-year-old, who lives in Normanton, Derby, was given the cucumber seeds by a friend five years ago and has planted them every year since.

Raghbir, a local priest and gardener, said:

Raghbir plans to submit his cucumber to the Guinness Book of Records when it has stopped growing.

The previous world record was 42.5 inches.

He grows Indian vegetables, sweetcorn and onions - but none have compared to the giant cucumber.