A pick your own pumpkin event has proved so popular, the organisers have planted twice as many this year and increased its fleet of wheelbarrows to carry the haul.

More than 40,000 people are expected to choose their Halloween treasures this month at Beluncle Farm in Hoo.

The Batchelor family has been opening the 40 acre working farm to families for the past six years and the PYO event is getting bigger and bigger.

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It started after the family grew more pumpkins then they needed so they invited their friends to come and pick the rest.

Mark and Verity Batchelor’s eldest son Luke was diagnosed with Crohn’s disease – inflammation of the digestive system – at around the same time so the proceeds were donated to Crohn’s and Colitis UK.

Now, every year the family donate some money to the charity.

Mr Batchelor said: “Pick your own pumpkins has become such a popular day out for families in the south-east that we have planted twice as many pumpkins this year to meet demand. We have also increased our wheelbarrow fleet to more than 200 to help pumpkin pickers in their hunt.”

Mrs Batchelor said: “Families relish the chance to visit a working farm and walk the fields where the pumpkins have grown. Most people spend a few hours here filling up their barrows. Kids just love being in the fields.

“It has exceeded all our expectations to become one of the largest pick your own pumpkin venues in the South East.

“As farmers, it’s reassuring to know that a growing number of families would rather pick pumpkins straight from a field than head out to their local supermarket.”

A variety of colours are available to pick and some are more suited to eating then carving.

Mrs Batchelor said: “Pumpkins are such a healthy food and so underrated as a fruit. They are bursting with colour, taste and freshness. What’s more, there are so many wonderful recipes out there. Pumpkins need to be explored, cooked and eaten more.”

Depending on their size, the pumpkins cost between £1 and £4.

For more information or to see some of Mrs Batchelor’s pumpkin recipes, visit www.pyopumpkins.com.