THEY may look like they have landed from another planet, but don't we just love giant pumpkins at this time of year?

There's a chance to see one of the best collections around next weekend in the lovely setting of the Chapel at the Royal Victoria Country Park.

The event is the brainchild of the Jubilee Sailing Trust who run the annual pumpkin-fest solely to raise money for their work integrating physically disabled and able-bodied people through tall ship sailing challenges.

When they did it last year some of the entrants were so bulky that local builder's merchants Travis Perkins offered to help bring some of the 100kg plus monsters into the park on board lorries.

The year before that it was the Army helping to transport the giant fruits.

Whatever their size and shape, the organisers always find a use for those donated to the show, with many being transformed into chutneys, curries or soups and some even being used to make a special pumpkin wine.

The biggest usually end up helping the charity in a unique way.

They will be hollowed out and put to sea complete with human occupants at the 2nd annual Pumpkin Regatta, held jointly for the JST and Children In Need, at the Salterns Sailing Club later in the month.

As well as a mass of pumpkins, the event at the Royal Victoria Country Park on Saturday October 14 from noon, will also see scores of other attractions including a book signing by children's author Helen Cooper who wrote the aptly named Pumpkin Soup.

BBC Radio Solent's Judy Goodlet will be the special guest, while Southampton City Council's mobile children's library will offer story-telling sessions.

A special pumpkin coach has also been donated to the festival by the Bishopstoke Players Theatre Group following its use in one of their productions, allowing would be Cinderella's to live out their dreams.

Organiser Sonja Davison, said: "This year's festival promises to be better than ever with even more to see and do, and of course all in aid of a very worthy charity.

"So bring along your pumpkins and squashes and join the Pumpkin Party."