Britain's pumpkins are smaller than normal this year ahead of Halloween due to the record-breaking summer heat and drought, according to a farmer.
Neil Cairns, of vegetable growers Barfoots, in Botley, West Sussex, said the firm utilises nearly 250 acres of land specifically for growing the winter squash.
But the unprecedented heat - which saw the UK surpass 40C - and reduced rainfall between June and August has thrown up many obstacles for farmers.
"This summer's heat and drought have been challenging for a lot of crops, and pumpkins are no exception, so they'll be a little smaller this year - but they're still just as bright and cheerful!" explained Neil.
The crop production manager said the process of cutting the pumpkins down from their vines starts in September before orders start coming in.
"Each one needs cleaning with a brush and drying with paper towels, then labelling," Neil told Waitrose magazine, adding work goes on 10 to 12 hours a day, seven days a week.
"We'll begin at six in the morning, while it's still dark, working with lights from the tractor," he said.
Barfoots’ brand and marketing manager Kim Barfoot-Brace previously said labour availability and transport costs hampered production last year.
But this year it was inflation and "poor climatic growing conditions".
Speaking to Fresh Produce Journal, she said: "This is a difficult year because of the unprecedented weather conditions.
"Pumpkins in the UK are generally dry farmed, which is to say they don’t require irrigation. That definitely isn’t true this year!
"We’re expecting small pumpkins and squashes, an early start to the harvest, and lower numbers, despite irrigating our crops significantly."
However, Ms Barfoot-Brace went on to say the smaller produce will hopefully mean a high quality and the produce could be less likely to rot as quickly.
The calving of pumpkins for Halloween dates back to an Irish myth about Stingy Jack who tricked the Devil out of money.
When he died, he was not allowed into Heaven or Hell and was instead sentenced to roam the earth for eternity.
In Ireland, people would carve demonic faces onto turnips to frighten away Jack's wandering soul.
When Irish immigrants moved to the US they carved 'jack-o'-lanterns' from the native and readily available pumpkins.
The folklore about Stingy Jack and pumpkin carving was eventually incorporated into Halloween traditions.
