INTEREST in Hexhamshire Leek Club's Horticultural and Industrial Exhibition was as strong as ever with a total of 450 entries in the adult classes.

With 55 of the 62 club members benching leeks for the event, held in Whitley Chapel Parish Hall, there was tough competition in the category.

And long time member Peter Rock claimed a maiden victory with a pair of leeks measuring 168.08 cu ins, finishing ahead of son-in-law Marcus Dodwell and third placed Phillip Scott.

The children's classes were equally well populated with 174 entries in 19 classes, the majority of which came from pupils at Whitley Chapel First School.

Sophie Lamb won the Leek Club Cup for her entry in 'Design and build an Animal Home with Amazing Mechanisms', while Dan Southern won the Hexhamshire WI Trophy for the best overall photo in the children's classes. His brother Benji won the Leek Club Cup for the best handwriting in the ages six to seven years group.

Matthew Henson won the trophy for the most points scored in the 21 fruit and vegetable classes and Daniel Nixon won the Rose Bowl for most points in the industrial classes.

Trevor Golightly auctioned the produce at the end of the show and showed such enthusiasm that he broke his gavel in the process!