A Sainsbury's supplier has geese watching over pumpkin stocks at a farm in Hampshire.

Farmer John Barfoot is employing the 'watchdogs' to deter thieves from raiding his storehouse. He says: "Protecting Sainsbury's pumpkins may sound amusing, but they are valuable enough at this time of year to attract thieves. The geese make more noise than dogs and will ensure that we have perfect pumpkins for Halloween."

The hot summer caused early harvests and has forced farmers to mature pumpkins in storehouses to keep the orange colour they would lose if baked in the sun. Sainsbury's pumpkin buyer Derek Benjamin said: "The change in weather conditions has meant that our farmers had to change maturation methods to supply pumpkins for Halloween. We are now looking ahead to ensure perfect sprouts and parsnips for Christmas should this weather continue."

Sainsbury's is launching a new brand of mini pumpkin called 'munchkins' in time for Halloween.

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