Published on Wednesday 14 September 2011 12:43

A GREEN-FINGERED wagon driver has reclaimed his champion spot at a leek show, setting a village record.

Jack McKitten, of Fence Houses, took the first place ribbon at the Burnside Workingmen’s Club Leek Show.

This is the third time in four years that the 42-year-old has claimed the first prize, after growing two leeks measuring 300.33 cubic inches, the equivalent to almost five litres, and the biggest ever grown by anyone in the village.

He said: “I’m over the moon to have won. I’m chuffed to bits. Growing leeks like this takes a lot of hard work.

“You get 10 months of growing time leading up to the competition and you have to tend to them every day, so it’s a lot of hard work.

“I won the first two years I took part then came second last year, so it’s great to reclaim my title. I’ll definitely be coming back next year to defend it. I’m the one to beat now.”

Trevor Chapman, steward of the Fence Houses club which hosts the show every year, said: “The leeks are the size of tree trunks, it’s no wonder it’s a village record.

“Jack is in our show so we’re really happy that he’s won and set the record. We’re Very pleased
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