Mixed fortunes are being predicted for this years UK pumpkin crop, with heavy rain beginning to cause worries.
Lincolnshire based grower David Bowman said although it was still very early, he doubted the season was going to be as good as last year.
"It's definitely going to be down, you can see it by simply walking through the fields."
He said the recent heavy rain was causing serious problems: "We have 18.5 per cent moisture in the crop, whereas it should be under 16 per cent."
However, other growers are being more cautious. Nathan Dellicott, farm director with Barfoots of Botley, said the harvest could still go either way.
However he added: "If the current weather continues, it will have an impact. The pumpkins will grow but they won't store."
Weather reports were still mixed up until harvest, and Dellicott said it was still too early to tell the full outcome for this year's harvest, although he anticipates pumpkin sizes to be smaller than last years.
