Swede taste of success for owner of giant vegetable

World’s biggest ever swede.....

Success is swede-r second time round for a grower of giant vegetables.

Ian Neale is celebrating growing the world’s biggest ever swede. It weighed in at 43.6kg (6st 12lb).

It beat the previous world record – a 39.3kg (6st 3lb) neep grown in Alaska earlier this year which had topped Mr Neale’s 2011 record breaker.

The 70-year-old also holds records for gigantic beetroots and carrots.

Showing off his mighty swede at the giant vegetable championships in Rhondda, Wales, Mr Neale said growers should get more recognition for their hard work.

‘Other industries get recognised for their achievements, why shouldn’t we get knighthoods?,’ he said.

Retired garden centre owner Mr Neale, of Newport, Gwent, counts hip hop star Snoop Dogg among his fans and was invited backstage to the star’s gig in Cardiff in 2011 to share growing tips.

Asked if he was a fan, he replied diplomatically: ‘I’m tone deaf.’

The secret of his success? ‘Good soil, good weather and good luck,’ he said.