IT STARTED off as a prize-winning cabbage but in the end it didn't even make coleslaw, such is the cutthroat world of vegetable shows.

Ed Hurrell from Ferndown, knew he had a good littlun' on his hands when his 15lb cabbage had its first growth spurt, but he thought he had a world beater when he entered it in Ferndown and District Horticultural Society's autumn show.

"It went completely off the scales," said Ed.

He attributed the champion cabbage's prize-winning effort in last weekend's vegetable section to "a bit of TLC, lots of watering because of the dry spring, as well as a protective layer to keep the caterpillars away".

In fact, "Kenny"was the only survivor from the three lots of seeds which were planted.

But Kenny has had to go in to early retirement and the end of his season could well see him finish up on the compost heap.

Ferndown's horticultural arena was full of raw talent. The array of flowers and vegetables included bulbous bottomed gourds, one of which was sculpted in to the shape of a swan's neck.

Ed's carrots also attracted the attention of many of the 200-plus visitors.

Among the other competitors lining up for the Martin Stuart Challenge Trophy, the Hambro Trophy and the Pip Stodgen Trophy among others, were the national sweet pea champion Chris Hill and Gwynn Davies, who ran away with the potted plants section, impressing the judges with his begonia.