UPDATE: Organisers have made the decision to shut the patch today, Saturday, due to the weather. It is still expeced to be open tomorrow.

A PUMPKIN picking patch created in Fordingbridge is set to open today.

With around 40,000 pumpkin on the 16-acre site, with 32 varieties of pumpkins available, Niall Smith and Suzanne Hennekens have created a rich tapestry of colour in fields in Bickton.

The pair’s Pumpkin Picking Patch will offer families a chance to make wands, flying broomsticks, create their own spider web and enjoy the fields.

And now they're inviting families down for two open days today and tomorrow, before the patch is officially opened on October 18.

To find the patch, type SP6 2HA into your sat nav!

As reported, the pair say they’ve created the patch in the most environmentally way possible

This has included sourcing wood locally – for making magic wands and brooms, as well as adopting a no plastic policy.

Niall said: “This is a great space for children to get away from computer screens and enjoy the countryside, creating their own adventures on the patch, in the house made of pumpkins or just cost effective family friendly fun picking the fruits ”.

Creative chef’s or charities that provide cooked nutritious meals for the homeless or other groups are also being sort, as the couple, conscious that not all gourds will be picked by the end of the month, will need a good home to go to and urge them to get in touch about this wonderful cooking ingredient.