Poorly pumpkin

I'm new to this site and i've never used a forum to ask a question before.
But as i no not alot about gardening i'm wondering if you could help.
I have a lovely pumpkin plant grown from seed something my children wanted, there isn't a lot of room in my garden and i've read they grow very large.
So i put two pumpkins down near my compost bin and within a few day my pumpkin plant has been eaten and it wasn't small. I'm hoping i can save my other pumpkin plant before it comes to the same fate..

 

It's a bit cold yet for pumpkins to be out. (I'm assuming you're in the UK) We could easily get some very cold nights in May or early June.

If it's still in a pot I'd bring it back in at night times. If it's planted in the ground, I'd protect it with a few slug pellets around it, a ring of gravel or a card'plastic collar set into the ground about 1' across. Anything to keep molluscs and the cold air off it.

If there's a cold night forecast I'd put some horticultural fleece over it.

 

Thank you i use a upturned plastic plant pot at night to keep it protected but not from the slugs...

I will try a ring of gravel around it as i haven't tried that