KEEN Netherton gardener Tony Goode knows his onions when it comes to raising money for charity.

The pensioner and his friend Dave Smith, licensee of the village’s Beaumont Arms pub, have come up with a novel way of supporting Kirkwood Hospice.

For the last two years, Tony has grown hundreds of onions in his large garden in Meltham Road and Dave has put them on sale at the pub. All proceeds have been donated to the hospice.

This year the bulb-loving duo are set to break all records.

In March, pensioner Tony planted a total of 1,500 onions and today at 5pm the fruits of his labour are going on sale.

After tenderly weeding the giant vegetable plot and watering the crop for months, Tony and Dave recently turned their attentions to the marketing side of the enterprise.

Hours have been spent plaiting the onions in strings, at sizes and prices to suit all tastes and pockets.

Prices range from £3 to £7 a string and, according to our sources, the onions are real beauties.

Some of the finest examples will hang behind the bar to encourage customers to place an order.

This year some new lines have been added to the range. For the first time, red onions, shallots and even Kelsaes – a type of large exhibition onion – will be on sale.

Three of the largest Kelsaes are in a container on the bar of the Beaumont Arms for customers to gauge their weight. For 50p they are allowed to pick up the onions before they have a guess.

Tony, 66, said: “Last year we raised £160 for Kirkwood Hospice and this year we are hoping to give them £300.

“We are expecting the onions to go like hot cakes – I don’t think we will have any left by Saturday tea-time.

“If people store them in a cool place, they will last until next March.”

According to Tony, the secret to successfully growing onions is to make sure the soil is well- fertilised before you plant the onion sets.