Exmouth in Bloom is calling on local residents to plant sunflowers in their gardens – and is offering prizes for some of the best ones grown.

April and May are the best months to sow sunflower seeds, and the plants should flower between June and September. They are good for pollinators, and provide food for birds.

Exmouth in Bloom will be awarding prizes for the tallest sunflower plant, the biggest flower head and the best photo of sunflowers in a garden. There will be a prize in each category for under 18s and over 18s.

To enter, take a photo of your sunflower(s) and email it to info@exmouthinbloom by September 17. Photos for the first two categories should include a measuring tape or stick showing the height of the plant or the size of the flower head.

Under-18 entries should be sent in by a parent or guardian, giving the age of the entrant.

The results will be announced at Exmouth in Bloom’s Awards Celebration Evening in October, on a date to be confirmed.

The photo shows last year's prizewinning sunflower plant grown by Littleham Primary School pupil Kelsey Robson-Cross - it was 3.64 metres (nearly 12 feet) tall.