Paul Rochester has been playing Glenn Miller tunes to his prize-winning crop in a bid to get an extra advantage over his rivals.

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Paul was taught everything he knows about gardening from his late father Wilfrid, who died from cancer a decade ago aged 69, and has continued his dedication to nurturing giant vegetables at the allotment they ran together in Northlea, Seaham.

The 47-year-old, who works as a machine operator for Boldon-based O'Brien's, believes his own idea of playing the musical legend each time he visits the patch was the key to success.

His latest victory was first prize for heaviest onion at the Leek and Onion World Championships in Ashington, beating 60 others with his entry which weighed in at a whopping 15lb six-and-a-quarter ounces.

He said: "I've got a tape player and the speakers in the tunnels and every time go I put Glenn Miller on.

"I've been doing it for the last four years and even my leeks seem to be doing better."

"I don't know if it's me getting more experience or the Glenn Miller, but I like it and I think it helps."

Paul's winning onion was grown from a variety passed on to him from Billy Lamb, of Easington Colliery, and has now been put to seed in the hope of claiming future titles.

Paul, who lives with wife Joy, 47, and daughters Faye, 20, and Kate, 14, in Rutland Street, plans to invest his £1,000 prize money back into his allotment.

He had concentrated on dress onions until three years ago when he started on heavy varieties and also grows leeks, carrots, parsnips, lettuce and cauliflower to put on the family's table.

Fellow Seaham man Des Watson came runner up with his entry, which was just one ounce lighter than Paul's.

TOP VEG SONGS
Green Onions - Booker T and the MGs
Lettuce Pea - The Beatles
Carrot Rope - Pavement
String Bean Jean - Belle and Sebastian