Readers get creative with pumpkin parade
Halloween fever is now gripping the nation and digital pictures sent in by Express & Star readers show how they are getting into the spirit of things.
Leanne Gardiner, of Cheslyn Hay, has carved the face of The Joker into this pumpkin.
Halloween fever is now gripping the nation with retailers cashing in on the fact American-style celebrations are becoming more popular. Supermarket giant Sainsbury's said sales of its Halloween outfits and accessories were 50 per cent up on last year, with people defying the credit crunch.
See more pumpkin designs below
But fears had been voiced the poor summer could mean a shortage of pumpkins this year after millions failed to ripen after the wettest August since records began.
The country's spending on Halloween is expected to top £150 million this year and digital pictures sent in by Express & Star readers show how they are getting into the spirit of things.
The carefully-crafted pumpkins taking shape across the region include this impressive take on the Joker from Batman created by Leanne Gardiner from Cheslyn Hay.
Keep your efforts in the picture:
We want to see YOUR pumpkin-carving efforts ahead of Halloween. If you are carving your own lanterns ready for Friday's celebrations, then capture your work on camera and show it off to the rest of Staffordshire and the Black Country.
Gone are the days when pumpkin designs were limited to simple faces with families now getting more and more ambitious with their designs.
Last year, pictures flooded in of everything from Freddy Krueger to Amy Winehouse and frightening faces.
Throughout this week we will be publishing your photographs in the pages of the newspaper and online here.
Send your pictures with all your details to picturedesk@expressandstar.co.uk - making sure to include your name, address and telephone number.
By Michelle Pearson
Simon Patel, from Walsall, has gone for Frankenstein's monster.
Simon Sims, from Wollescote, Stourbridge, sent in this design.
Leah Pemberton, 12, tries to guess the weight of this monster pumpkin at the Bradshaws Farm Shop on Wrottesley Park Road, near Perton.
Two of the Halloween favourites have been grown to a width of two feet and weigh in excess of 100lb.
Now the shop is encouraging visitors to guess the weight of the supersized vegetables and are donating the proceeds to Compton Hospice.
Owner of the shop Tony Jones said: "Normally they grow to about the size of a football but these ones are incredible.
"Pumpkins love water and we've certainly had plenty of that over the last few months."
The winner will have the massive pumpkins, worth £80 each, delivered in time for Halloween celebrations on Friday.
