PUPILS from Milford Haven Junior School have once again proved their gardening credentials, bagging themselves a fantastic prize in a nationwide potato-growing competition.

Run by the Potato Council, the annual Grow Your Own Potatoes competition invites primary schools from all over the UK to roll up their sleeves and get planting.

After signing up, schools are given a free growing kit, with everything they need to grow their own rocket and Rudolph potatoes.

Supplying the potato seeds to all schools in Wales was Pembrokeshire-based firm Puffin Produce – which produces the Blas y Tir range of potatoes.

Participating schools were given 14 weeks to grow their produce, before submitting the weight of their haul through a dedicated competition website.

With the heaviest crop, Milford Haven Junior School was named Welsh champions of the competition this year – making it the first school to win three times in the competition's ten-year history.

For its efforts, the victorious Year Five group was recently presented with a special ‘buddy bench’ made entirely out of recycled materials.

Head of Year Five Mr Deacon said: “I would recommend entering the competition to any school. The children love it, especially the eating at the end of the process.

“We have already signed up for the 2015 competition.”

Lizzie Caunter, spokesman for Puffin Produce, said the competition helped children learn exactly where their food comes from.

“It is important that the children understand the educational values behind fresh produce,” she said.

“It also emphasises that supporting locally grown produce is important to create a sustainable future for Welsh farmers and farmland.”

Registration is now open for next year’s competition, and any interested schools should visit www.gyop.potato.org.uk.