Bracing for the battle of the bulge

While The Sun scours Britain for the country's largest vegetable (the 40lb horseradish being the most impressive), global law firm Clifford Chance has entered the battle with relish.

London managing partner Peter Charlton revealed his hidden talent for vegetable growth in a groundbreaking advertising campaign.

The firm is displaying a monster marrow in a bid to attract corporate lawyers with the slogan: 'Size matters!' The five-foot giant is believed to have been reared in the Clifford Chance vegetable patch in Canary Wharf, London from ordinary marrow pips.

It is understood that the watery vegetable, nick-named M&A by the salaried partners who diligently tended the monstrosity during its formative years, is part of the firm's intention to annex the title of 'world's largest' in as many categories as possible.

City rival Freshfields is also working on top secret plans to produce a record-breaking cabbage, said inside sources.

But Clifford Chance denied the magic circle was embroiled in a bitter battle for allotment domination inspired by the national newspaper's campaign.

Green-fingered Pete told the Gazette: 'I can honestly say that I don't read The Sun.'