A PLANT expert hopes to grow the world's biggest pumpkin after being asked to nurture a seed which was bought for £1,250 at auction.

Matthew Oliver, a horticulturalist at RHS Garden Hyde Hall, in Rettendon, has been entrusted with turning the valuable seed into a record breaking pumpkin.

The seed, which is about two inches long, came from the existing largest pumpkin, which weighed 166 stone and was produced by a Swiss grower in 2014.

Horticulture firm Thompson and Morgan, based in Ipswich, bought the seed at a specialist auction, before asking Mr Oliver to take responsibility for it.

The Essex-based horticulturalist has his sights set on a weigh-in on Saturday, October 8, when he hopes the pumpkin will be crowned the world's biggest.

Mr Oliver said: "The pressure to deliver is massive.

"I'm not sure whether it was a brave or stupid idea to take on this challenge, but I'll give it my best shot.

"Let's just say that my holiday plans will be on hold until after the October weigh-in."

Thompson and Morgan horticultural director Paul Hansord bought the seed at a sale in Hampshire, beating the previous record giant pumpkin seed price of £1,171.

Mr Hansord said a standard pack of 10 pumpkin seeds sold for as little as 99p but added the chance to buy a potential record-breaker did not come along often.

He said a number of people asked to be given the chance to grow the seed and he was sure Mr Oliver was the right choice.

Mr Hansord said: "Matthew's enthusiasm and devotion for pumpkins was evident.

"He was absolutely thrilled when I delivered the news that the seed was his."