CHILDREN at a west Dorset school showed off their green fingers when the pumpkins they had been growing since the summer were judged at a carving competition.

Pupils at Symondsbury Primary School rounded off half term with a flurry of autumnal action including a pumpkin growing and carving competition and a seasonal cross country run.

Pupils from Symondsbury Primary School showed off their green fingers in the pumpkin competition, while every child took part in a run at the iconic Colmer’s Hill.

Headteacher of Symondsbury Primary School, Emma Roberts, said: "Well done to all the children who took part in the fun run and the pumpkin competition and to the staff and families who supported them.

“After a busy start to the school year, this was such a fun and positive way to break up for half term. As ever, the enthusiasm, talent and positivity of the pupils has been outstanding and we are excited already about gearing up for our Christmas activities.”

Youngsters were given the opportunity to display their creativity in a pumpkin competition.

Millie Frampton was praised for her winning pumpkin.

The school gardening club had issued every pupil with a pumpkin seedling in the summer and the day of judgement had arrived with whole-school prizes being issued for the biggest and best home grown pumpkins.

Eventual winners were brother and sister Sam and Amelia Davis with runners up Zac and Connor Mudford. Meanwhile the pumpkin carving competition was open to shop-bought pumpkins too, with prizes handed out for each year group. Judged by the Friends of Symondsbury School, the competition saw some particularly creative, and scary, entries, including a pumpkin Gruffalo.

Pupils gathered at Colmer’s Hill for the school’s annual fun run. Supported by staff and parents, every child raced around the hill, tackling not just the challenging mile-long course – but also battling the difficult ground and slippery mud.

Some children were also competing for a place in the school’s running team for the inter-primary school cluster run, which will take place on Saturday, November 21. Alex Cox and Loveday Found took first place in their races, with the top eight girls and top eight boys going forward into the local competition.