Gardener's 38ft tall luffa plant sets world record

The luffa plant, which was grown along a washing line inside a polytunnel, measured 11.6 metres (38ft) tall

A gardener who grows giant vegetables has set a new Guinness World Record for the tallest luffa plant at the Giant Veg National Championship.

Graham Barratt's luffa plant was measured at 38ft (11.6m) tall at the Malvern Autumn Show earlier - about the height of a typical three-storey building.

The luffa, which is a vine plant with edible fruit that can be dried and turned into a sponge, was one of six world records broken on day one of the competition.

"I'm really pleased because it's extremely competitive," Mr Barratt said.

Mr Barratt told BBC Radio Gloucestershire his record-breaking plant was grown in a polytunnel.

"We can't grow it 38ft (11.6m) straight up into the air because obviously you don't have polytunnels with those sorts of dimensions," he explained.

"I grow it up a couple of metres and then angle it across, and then grow it down the polytunnel and train it onto a washing line."

It was the first time the luffa plant had been entered into the Guinness World Records.

"They dry out quite nicely, so you end up with this fibrous luffa that people use for washing themselves in the bath," Mr Barratt said.

Graham Barratt secured a fourth place position at the Malvern Autumn Show with his giant pumpkin

A 289.5kg (45.5 stone) pumpkin grown by Mr Barratt secured him a fourth place position at the show, while he was awarded second place for his giant red cabbage.

He said he was keen to ensure his pumpkin made it home in one piece after it was taken to the competition by forklift.

"These are going to go to a Halloween hunt at Primrose Vale when it's all over, so the families, the children can see it, they can have the photographs taken."

The Malvern Autumn Show will welcome more than 65,000 visitors to the Three Counties Showground before it ends on Sunday.

So far, six Guinness World Records have been broken including the longest radish and heaviest celeriac.

It was the first time the luffa plant had been entered into the Guinness World Records.

Mr Barratt has previously set multiple world records for giant vegetables including cucumbers, pea pods and celeriac.

He said he will spend the winter months preparing for next year's growing season, while supporting fellow growers.

"I'll be putting my plan together for next year, obtaining the seeds and also sharing seeds with other growers so that they can put their growing plan together," he added.