Children's nightmares mean a dream month for Lincolnshire's pumpkin growers.

Fields of orange fruit have to be harvested in time for Halloween.

The area around Spalding has become a centre of pumpkin growth, becoming one of the largest producers in Europe.

Firms have to take on hundreds of extra workers to cope with the demand.

Sleepless nights

Bowman's of Spalding have been growing pumpkins for 30 years and are well practised at dealing with the autumn rush.

David Bowman said: "The main time is, of course, from September to late October, when we process around 2m pumpkins.

"We are probably the biggest producer in Europe and it means a lot of sleepless nights and hard days.

"We sell to Holland, France and Ireland, anyone who wants them really."

Pumpkin festival

Dozens of extra workers are taken on at Bowman's alone, where the pumpkins are processed, cleaned and boxed for shipping.

Originally a native of America, the pumpkin thrives in Lincolnshire and is now a firm favourite of Halloween celebration across the country.

Such is the importance of the crop to the area that Spalding has its own Pumpkin Festival on October 18.

David Bowman Ltd is donating �5,000 worth of fruit and shops will be decorated.