A group of Romford horticulturalists celebrated a bumper crop of visitors at its annual open day.

The Romford Smallholders Society, which rents out allotments on Pretoria Road, welcomed about 200 guests – including local councillor Robert Benham, Mayor Lynden Thorpe and Romford MP Andrew Rosindell – to the event on Saturday August 18.

The green-fingered group was hoping to grow its funds to make the allotments disabled-friendly, having recently spent �5000 on new disabled toilets.

Committee member Daniel Smart, 23, said membership was slowly creeping up as harder times encouraged people to find ways to save on bills – such as growing their own veg.

“We were quite happy with the day,” he added. “There was a good amount of people and the weather turned out nice.”

The mayor dished out prizes for best runner bean, tallest sunflower and best scarecrow, while Mr Rosindell served up a framed picture of the Queen.

For more information on the society, visit www.romfordsmallholderssociety.org.uk.