LITTLEHAM sunflower growers entering the local in-bloom competition faced a tall order to be crowned winners of the highest blooms.

LITTLEHAM sunflower growers entering the local in-bloom competition faced a tall order to be crowned winners of the highest blooms.

After months of nurturing tiny plants into giant sunflowers, Sue Crowsley, of Glebe Farm, this week was declared the grower of the tallest sunflower in Littleham and awarded a �10 garden voucher.

Mrs Crowsley's prize-winning bloom reached a height of more than 10 feet.

Tony Christopher, chairman of Littleham in Bloom, presented Mrs Crowsley with her winner's certificate.

Mrs Crowsley said: "I bought three sunflower plants at the Littleham in Bloom coffee morning earlier in the year and this monster just kept on growing and growing.

"I am surprised at just how tall it has grown."

The competition was judged by Exmouth councillor Eileen Wragg. Some 20 sunflowers were entered, with Mrs Crowsley's winning bloom reaching 10ft 6".

Second place went to Steve West, of Village Close, whose sunflower measured over nine feet tall.