Simon carves out devilish delights with his pumpkin designs
His intricate pumpkin designs draw crowds to his home every Halloween.
And self-taught artist Simon Patel has once again been busy carving out dozens of creepy creations with demand from customers desperate to get their hands on one of his masterpieces.
The father of two has also given some of his carvings to local schools and plans to use his talents to raise money for charity at a crafts fair this weekend.
But the 36-year-old says he has only been able to get his hands on pint-sized pumpkins this year due to the wet summer weather affecting their growth.
Mr Patel, of Primley Avenue, Alumwell, said his designs this year have included a zombie, devil and Gizmo from Gremlins.
"Some of them have taken three-and-a-half hours while others have taken eight hours," he said.
"I've had people giving me pumpkins and asking me to carve them for money.
"I've got a couple of orders coming up to Halloween. I've already done a zombie for someone who had a party but there might be a bit of a rush coming up to Halloween."
The expert carver has given two of his creations to Alumwell Infant and Nursery schools, while more have been displayed outside his home.
And he will be heading to a craft fair at Essington Fruit Farm, in Bognop Road, on Sunday to raise money for Cancer Research UK.
"I know people who have cancer and I think it's a good charity," he said.
"I will be including two or three of my pumpkins in a raffle and I hope people will leave donations as they watch me carve. The only problem this year is that the pumpkins have been small. I think it's just been because of the rain. There's not been enough sunshine."
Mr Patel has now set up a Facebook page called "pumpkin sculptures by simon patel" to show off his designs.
