Mansion House calls for cucumber competitors

Mansion House has announced plans to get Reading residents growing cucumbers this summer as it looks to see who can grow the largest cucumber in town.

Competitors can get free seeds to start them off and terms and conditions of the competition from any Harvester restaurant or by emailing vegetablechallenge@harvester.co.uk.

Winners of the competition will receive garden centre vouchers and the chance to sample their winning cucumber at a free meal at their local Harvester restaurant.

Afron Ellis, manager of Mansion House, said: "The cucumber challenge is open to everyone, allowing the whole family to get involved and help kids learn exactly where their food comes from."

The organisation Reading In Bloom offers advice on how best to sow seeds, it says choose a good seed compost and try to sow as thinly as possible. Seeds will normally need a fine covering of compost equal to the diameter of the seed.