TODDLERS learnt that there's more to autumn than Halloween last weekend as record numbers attended a harvest festival on a Winchester farm.

More than 2,000 people were at Upper Norton Farm on Saturday for pumpkin carving with a difference.

The hugely popular event at Sutton Scotney combines face painting and spooky designs with celebration of seasonal produce.

Youngsters strapped on their wellies for donkey rides, worm hunting and 'chilli-stringing' – creating decorations from long chillis which dry in the kitchen and can be used in mum and dad's cooking.

For the adults there were cookery demonstrations, organic food and drink stalls and live music from acts including Southampton Ukulele Jam.

Farm manager Jason Holt said: "It was a really good event as always, everybody gets excited about the arrival of autumn. They love it.

"It's getting kids back to knowing where food is from and appreciating good food – fresh food.

"A lot of people don't come in costume, people just come along and get but celebrating autumn and all the wonderful produce that comes this time of year."

Attendance at the event, run by Riverford Organic Farms at sites across the country, was up by more than 300 on last year's 1,700.