PUMPKIN farmers are preparing for Halloween by growing fiendish Frankenstein pumpkins using technology imported from the USA.

Husband and wife Guy and Emily French are trialling the products at their Foxes Farm production sites in Wash Road, Basildon and Aldham near Colchester as they gear up for their busiest period of the year.

Emily said the couple, who also grow their own Christmas trees, are always looking across the Atlantic Ocean for inspiration on how to improve.

She said: “It was an idea Glen had after seeing it in America – they are always ahead of the game when it comes to Halloween.

“We decided we would trial it this year and grow some using the moulds, we wanted to see whether it works and if it was popular before we decided to do too many.

“Some things are great in the USA but just do not translate when they get over here so this year it is just for marketing, but if the reaction is good we will look at doing more next year,”

Approximately 20 have been given the monster treatment this time around, but it is crucial to ensure the baby pumpkin is going to be plump enough before attaching the brace.

Emily said: “You have to make sure your pumpkin is the right size otherwise it just won’t work.

“The process starts when it is starting to form a recognisable pumpkin shape and then the mould gets bolted on.

“After that it will just grow to be in that shape.”

Both sites will have their Pumpkin Patches open from now until Halloween which gives youngsters the chance to visit their farm and pick their own spooky fruit to decorate.

A variety of games including maze trails and pumpkin bowling is also on offer.

Emily said: “We open our farm up at this time of year until Halloween and this is a really busy period for us in terms of retail.

“It sounds unbelievable but the rest of our year goes into the planning and preparation for our really busy time between Halloween and Christmas.”

For more information visit foxesfarmproduce.co.uk