THE shops may be full of festive sparkle already but there's another fun event on the calendar to enjoy first.

We are only a week away from October, which is officially the start of all things Halloween.

While ghosts and ghouls get the limelight, a seasonal favourite activity suitable for all ages is pumpkin picking.

There are some great pick-your-own patches in the region, allowing youngsters and the young at heart, to select the perfect gourd.

Read more: Flintshire farm shop named among the UK's best

And even better, new research from meal box delivery brand HelloFresh has revealed that Wales is the cheapest place in the UK for pumpkin picking this autumn.

They discovered the average admission costs for a family of four in Wales was £5, significantly lower than the national average of £21 per family, with many free to enter, just pay for your pumpkins.

Here we list just some of the PYO pumpkin patches across Flintshire, Wrexham and just over the border in Chester, most getting underway in October.

Some require a time slot to be booked in advance, so please check with your preferred site for details.

• Mostyn Kitchen Garden, Mostyn Hall, near Holywell: Various dates and times available, one ticket admits up to six people and is free, just pay for your pumpkins, cash only. Refreshments and homemade cakes available, well behaved dogs welcome on leads. Visit their Facebook page for details.

• Bellis Brothers, Holt, Wrexham: Booking is essential. Tickets are free, with one ticket required per vehicle. Various dates and times available. Visit bellisbrothers.co.uk/pyo-pumpkins-2023/ to check availability.

• Swans Farm Shop, Corwen Road, Treuddyn: No booking required, pay for any pumpkins picked in the Farm Shop, with prices starting at £2. For more details visit their Facebook page or website - swansfarmshop.com

• Hawarden Estate Farm Shop, Hawarden: Pick your own pumpkins at the Flintshire location, from 9am October 1 to 5pm October 25. Pumpkins priced at small £3, medium £6 and large £10. Visit hawardenestate.co.uk/events/pick-your-own-pumpkin for details.

• Magical Malpas PYO Farm, Malpas, Cheshire: As well as PYO pumpkins, visit the photo village, spooky maize maze and more. No booking required. Pumpkins from £2 each small, regular £3.50 each (large/giant pumpkins also available). Visit magicalmalpaspyofarm.com for more details.

And for those looking to get creative with their pumpkins, we would love to see your carvings.

You can share them with us here or email claire.pierce@newsquest.co.uk