With Halloween on the horizon, a pumpkin patch in Basildon has become a popular attraction.

Families across south Essex are flocking to the pumpkin patch, in Wash Road, Basildon, to pick up their favourites

The site is run by Guy and Emily French, who also run a similar patch n Green Lane, Aldham, Colchester,.

As well as monster squashes that are perfect for carving Jack O Lanterns for Halloween, there are more than 10 varieties of pumpkins at the patches to chose from including ones called the ‘Snowman’, ‘Acorn’, ‘Harvest Festival’ and ‘Turk’s Turban’. Many can be used to make pumpkin based recipes, such as soups, mash and of course pumpkin pie!

The pumpkin patch is open from 10am to 4pm every weekend until October 29. During the October half term the patch will be open every day.

A range of drinks are available, including hot chocolate as well as hay bale mountains for youngsters to play on. The Basildon patch also offers barbeque, food but there is no maze at either patch this year and no dogs are allowed at all.

The practice of decorating Jack O Lanterns stems back to an Irish folk tale about a man named ‘Stingy Jack’ where large turnips and potatoes were carved with ghoulish faces.

For more details about the patch visit www.foxesfarmproduce.co.uk