PUMPKIN carving was the name of the game as Riverford Park hosted its annual pumpkin day on Saturday.

Over 1,000 people from across Hampshire descended on the farm at Sutton Scotney, armed with all manner of carving equipment, in preparation for the farm’s harvest festival.

Children had the chance to roll up their sleeves and take part in a spot of zoology at the worm-digging workshop while others carved spooky faces into the big orange vegetables.

The Spinney Hollow Green Wood Work also saw children making swords, daggers and even wands.

Events organiser Rebecca Stones said: “It’s been a really good event, really well organised, and it’s growing each year. The worm dig has really encouraged people to get in their gardens and dig out worms to see which ones they’ve found and report back, just as the RSPB did, and that’s what we’ve done here.

“I think it’s to celebrate all things to do with autumn and the launch of winter. It’s quite a good opportunity to celebrate Hallowe’en but not in the normal Hallowe’en way for people who perhaps don’t feel comfortable with it.”

The event was held, in part, to raise funds for the farm’s charity project, send a cow, to help farmers in parts of Africa.

“It’s been a great way to say thank you to our customers and meet other customers and actually just have a lovely day out,” Ms Stones added. “It’s about celebrating organic produce and fresh food that the local community grows for us.”