Barnsley man goes barmy over veggie ban

18:06 27th August 2009

A garden and greenhouse enthusiast has threatened to go to court over the decision to ban him from local vegetable competitions.

Barry Micklethwaite has been displaying his super sized beets, parsnips and leeks for around 30 years.

However, a recent phone call to the Yorkshire branch of the National Vegetable Society regarding a show schedule led to him being told he was no longer allowed to exhibit his produce.

The grower - who has won numerous prizes for his veggies - was left livid and threatened court action, claiming he has been kicked for being too successful.

"If they had been honest and said they wanted me to step down and give somebody else a chance I would have done that," he explained.

"But they refused to give a reason so I am determined to fight the decision."

The organisation had a different explanation for the snub, stating Mr Micklethwaite was banned for being a sore loser and claiming he refused to take his produce to national events for fear of not winning.

Meanwhile, a Yorkshire prison was recently awarded the Windlesham Trophy by the Royal Horticultural Society for having the best prison garden in the UK.