CREDITON children are being reminded to take part in a gardening challenge to help raise money for Barnardo’s.

They have until the end of July to purchase seeds from www.potterandrest.co.uk and plant them ready to grow the “fattest sunflower face” in aid of the national charity.

Crediton resident, Peter Burks, who is a Horticultural Expert at Potter and Rest, explained: “We’re asking greenfingered children to grow the sunflower with the fattest face and the seeds youngsters will use have been bred especially to have large flower ‘heads’.

“We know that many schools have gardening clubs and we would love it if they could get involved too. As well as entering our competition they could have their own in-house one too.”

The competition is also a fundraiser for Barnardo’s through a £1 donation, which people will be asked to make when they order their seeds.

Parents, guardians or teachers are invited to order a packet of seeds, while stocks last, for £1 from http://goo.gl/yx0YvD . An entry form can be downloaded using the following link: https://goo.gl/sSWHE5 .

Barnardo’s works to transform the lives of vulnerable children and young people. It believes that every child deserves the best start in life and the chance to fulfil their potential.

In September, children will be asked to measure their sunflower across the middle of its “face”, excluding petals and to take a photograph of their sunflower and complete the entry form.

All entries must be submitted via email before midnight on September 30, 2016 to: [email protected] with the entry form and a photo of the sunflower attached to the email.

There are two titles to be won – Regional Winner and National Winner. The five regional winners will each receive a £10 Potter and Rest voucher and a certificate.

The National Winner will be the entrant whose sunflower “face” was recorded as the largest and they will receive a certificate and a £50 Potter and Rest voucher.

The overall winner’s school will also be presented with a £50 Potter and Rest voucher.