PERFECT pumpkins have helped to provide a passport to a sailing adventure of a lifetime. For the fifth annual pumpkin festival was making fundraising waves for the Jubilee Sailing Trust (JST).

The chapel at Netley's Royal Victoria Country Park was the historic setting for a festival to celebrate the qualities of the humble pumpkin while raising funds and awareness of the trust's work.

Running for 25 years, the JST has taken more than 21,000 people to sea, including 8,500 people with physical disabilities and 3,500 wheelchair users.

Netley's Pumpkins in the Park provided an action-packed day ranging from competitions to find the heaviest and best-decorated pumpkin to children's pumpkin storytelling.

Event organiser Sonja Davison said: "It always amazes me how many different shapes, sizes and colours of pumpkins are on display and the wide range of produce available from this highly versatile vegetable."

Brilliant sunshine brought pumpkin lovers out in force and Sonja said the response had been unbelievable.

Roger Bysouth, 52, of Plaitford, proudly took the title for growing the heaviest pumpkin, weighing in at 474lb.

Runners-up were Tim and Sue Bowditch from Eastleigh.