A DAY dedicated to spuds and home-grown vegetables was a mash hit, with hundreds of people attending the annual event.

Rusland Valley Horticultural Society's (RVHS) fifth Potato Day was a spud-tastic success as more than 600 people came along to visit Greenodd Village Hall.

At the event, more than 120 varieties of seed potatoes, onion sets, fruit bushes and trees, flower tubers, seeds, strawberry plants, asparagus plants and rhubarb plants were available to purchase.

Jon Woddy, event organiser, described the day as a 'great success'.

He said: "We've been very busy, people have been queuing out the door since 9am.

"It's growing in popularity every year."

Mr Woddy said the day unites people both old and young from across the county.

"We've had a couple today travel from Darlington," he said.

"It's good to see young people get involved in gardening too - my grandchildren love it.

"It's becoming a lot more popular as more and more people are leaning towards vegetarianism.

"Overall it's been a very successful day."

The Potato Day started back in 2011 when the society needed to boost funds after buying a field to host its show.

The society saw this as a necessary move after the field changed ownership and members were concerned that the next owner would not be quite so accommodating.

Chris and Ruth Shaw travelled from Ulverston with their one-year-old daughter Grace to buy some local produce.

Mrs Shaw said:"I think days like this bring the whole community together.

"We always want to support local farmers.

"Growing your own is great too - it's good for the environment and better for you."

Matthew Smith, from Brighter Blooms, provided the produce for the day.

He said: "It's great to see so many people support local groups and businesses."

Next year's date is already set for Sunday January 17.