Wet weather and poor pollination have been blamed for a pumpkin shortage in Hampshire by one farm shop.

This year’s harvest at Westlands Farm Shop in Wickham has been “disappointing” according to staff member Kayleigh Collett.

She said seeds struggled to germinate in the cold and wet that was a feature of this summer.

It comes as Totton's Sunnyfields Farm unveiled a huge Beetlejuice mosaic display made of pumpkins.

Kayleigh said: “Warm temperatures and ample sunlight are essential for pumpkins to grow to their full size.

"Countrywide, it has been the wettest summer on record since 2015, which has caused yield problems for farmers across the UK.

“Pumpkins are heavily reliant on bees for pollination, and when germination and bee activity is disrupted by cooler temperatures or rain, the plants don’t get the pollination they need to produce healthy fruits.

“Bees are vital not only for pumpkins, but for many crops that rely on their hard work.

“The drop in bee activity because of colder weather and a lack of sunshine is something we’ve been watching closely, and it’s a reminder of how essential pollinators are to a sustainable environment and successful farming.”

Despite seeing a dip in pumpkin harvest, the family-run Westlands farm is still stocking a wide variety of pumpkins and gourds in its farm shop in Wickham.

Kayleigh added: “Westlands Farm Shop is committed to practising sustainable farming all year round.”

The farm enhances natural pollination by introducing bee hives directly into its polytunnels.

By supporting these vital pollinators, the farm improves its soft fruit yield and contributes to the overall sustainability of British agriculture.

The farm also built a reservoir that can collect up to 2.5m litres of rainwater, which is recycled to be used for crop irrigation.

This practice significantly reduces reliance on local water supplies and minimises environmental impact.