AS leek shows return, we take a look back at the big winners from years gone by.

The popular events always attract large crowds keen to show off the fruits of their labour for their just rewards.

In 2016, hundreds of entries were received for the annual Hexhamshire Leek Club Horticultural and Industrial Exhibition, but it was show regular Bob Bennett who triumphed to take the top prize of the Bernard Baxter Quaich for the best pair of leeks.

Michael Ridley, of Haltwhistle, saw success, once again, at the Haltwhistle Comrades Leek Club show in 2019 with his 294.45 cu ins leeks.

And there was a shock in store for local electrician Glenn Nattrass, who ­— after twice placing last­ — collected the Ellan Ashman Memorial Challenge Cup as leek winner in 2020.