The swede smell of success Man grows record-breaking veg

Giant ... Ian Neale with his record-breaking swede

WALES NEWS SERVICE

A GARDENER has set a new record for the world's biggest swede.

Ian Neale's home-grown Swedish turnip weighs in at a whopping 6st 1lb — beating the previous record by 3.5lbs.

The former garden centre owner's passion for giant veggies started 30 years ago — when he made a bet with pals over who could grow the biggest onion.

Ian, from Newport, in South Wales, now grows everything from giant melons and tomatoes to carrots and parsnips.

He narrowly missed out on the title two years ago, when he was beaten by Alaska's Scott Robb, who presented a 5st 8lb swede.

But he is no stranger to harvesting triumphs — in 2001 he held the Guinness World Record for the biggest beetroot and celery when they each tipped the scales at more than 3st 6lbs.

The 68-year-old spends up to 70 hours per week perfecting his crop during peak gardening season.
He said he was "chuffed" with his achievement — which came after months of green-fingered hard graft.
He added: "You have got to put a lot into it, you've got to let it take over your life. If you are not going to try to win, then don't do it."