THE QUEST to grow the biggest onion in the Forest of Dean and Wye Valley has already developed into open warfare in at least one family.

Three generations of the Walkers of Whitepool, St Briavels, are planting their Kelsae onion seed this week not just to grow a whopper to enter the Review's competition but to see who is the top gardener in the family.

It has become a massive 'in house' competition.

The vintage grower is Glenys – Mum to Julian and Nan to Matthew.

Glenys's secret weapon in the onion stakes is a book written in 1910 and information from her father who lives in Norfolk and is a champion grower. He is available round the clock for information and advice. Top tip: "I intend to talk to them."

The modern grower is Julian - Dad to Matthew. He has gleaned every bit of information from gardening books stolen from his mum's house and is avidly consuming all the information he can by reading "Olly Onion" stories.

The techno grower is Matthew – his secret weapon is the internet. Matthew is in contact with a champion onion grower in Denver, USA but has already been refused permission to move to America for the growing season. He claims his grandad is feeding him extra information and further top tips are coming from Auntie Manda who has a top secret ingredient supplied by a horse and delivered in a bucket ...

Fearing sabotage, Glenys is establishing a new onion bed on part on her lawn so that she can keep an eye on her crop at all times.

All the onion seed has now been delivered and should be planted, following Roy Haviland's advice, by this weekend.