WAY above the hedge running along the road at the side of the Tancock’s house in New Buildings near Sandford is a row of gigantic sunflowers.

These have been grown by Tony Tancock, one of the sons of Cyril and June who have lived at New Buildings for many years.

Tony grew these from seed. “The packet said Giant which I thought meant the flower not the plants,” he said.

“I have never had sunflowers before much above a foot higher than me and I am about 5ft 7ins but I am sure these are around the 12 foot tall mark.

“They would be taller but the stems got a bit bent because of the wind. I hope to keep some of the seed for next year,” he added. He would very much like to know if anyone has even taller sunflowers.

Tony has 10 plants and thinks that two or three at least would be taller, one is most certainly still growing and has beaten the others already.

He said his secret could be the home-made nettle juice he feeds them on.