A GIANT vegetable grower from Cwmbran has achieved the world record for the biggest poblano chili pepper.

Kevin Fortey, helped by his 11-year-old son, snatched the record from his rivals at the Canna UK National Giant Vegetables Championship at the Malvern Autumn Show, with the chilli pepper weighing in at 348grams.

Regional rival Ian Neale, from Newport, had led the field when he weighed in his chilli at just over 300 grams, but Mr Fortey claimed his second giant vegetable growing world record.

Mr Neale won the record for world’s longest chilli which was measured at 401mm at the show at the weekend.

In addition in 2010 he also broke the UK record for the heaviest marrow - weighing a colossal 12 stones and three pounds.

Mr Fortey, whose dad Mike set up the idea of giant vegetable growing in the UK, said: "It's been really good fun.

"There were 539 exhibits at the show which is a record in itself.

"The show is booming. They were queuing out of the door to weigh the exhibits which shows how the attraction of giant vegetable growing in the UK is massive."

Mr Fortey and Mr Neale have been working with Countryfile presenter Paul Martin for a programme about growing giant vegetables which will be broadcast in autumn.