A BIG veg expert is fired up after growing the UK’s longest chilli pepper — at a whopping 18 inches.

       Graham Barratt, 62, beat the previous record by 0.4in with his Thunder Mountain Longhorn pepper.

       Veg expert Graham Barratt, 62, is fired up after growing the UK’s longest chilli pepper — at a whopping 18 inches Credit: SWNS

       The grandfather of five has won prizes for giant vegetables before but has never smashed a record.

       Graham, from Abbeydale, Gloucs, said: “Growing giant vegetables sounds easy but there are so many factors？？—？？the right seeds and weather, but also the right care so they grow the best.

       “It’s a lot of work but it’s what I love to do and it’s very rewarding.

       “Growing them really feels like being an expectant father at times — they are like your children.”

       Graham, who lives with wife Jill, 66, will dry the crop out to put in a display case at his allotment.

       After a few months he will harvest the seeds and try to beat his own record.

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       He planted the winning seeds in January and tended to them nearly every day.

       An official giant vegetable judge measured his hot crop last week.

       Graham’s other big veg triumphs include an 886lb pumpkin in 2018, a 36in cucumber in 2019 and an 877lb squash last year.

       He planted the winning seeds in January and tended to them nearly every day Credit: SWNS

       An official giant vegetable judge measured his hot crop last week Credit: SWNS

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