PHILIP Wilson has caused a swede sensation.

The retired British Rail employee has grown a swede measuring an amazing 54cm in diameter - leaving his allotment buddies in Studland Road, Millbrook, Southampton, green with envy.

The 73-year-old thought his giant root vegetable - equivalent in weight to ten bags of sugar - could be a turnip for the record books.

But unfortunately the Guinness Book of Records entry stands at 34.36kg or 80lb compared to Philip's at 9.5kg or 21lb.

Philip's monster swede is one of several which he says have grown "as big as melons".

He said: "When they started growing they were pretty stubby and then they just grew and grew on until they got like how they are now. I left it down to nature."

He doesn't use any artificial fertilisers on his allotment and puts his success down to nature.

The only treatment his swede seeds received was cow manure, and an undisturbed growing period of nine months.

We want to know if Philip's swede is a record for Southampton.

If you've grown a bigger swede we would love to hear about it. Contact the newsdesk on 023 8042 4520.