A sunflower grown in Wincanton scooped top prize at Otter Garden Centres' annual sunflower-growing competition.

The lofty plant grew to an impressive 16ft in height – about nine-tenths the height of a fully grown giraffe.

The winner, 10-year-old Jonah Sturgess, grew nine sunflowers from seed at his great uncle Malcolm Mitchell’s house, where he regularly visits and helps in the garden with his sister Esme.

Mr Mitchell explained how he grew his winning sunflower: "We collected the free seed packet from the garden centres – there were nine seeds in all and Jonah started them off in little individual pots.

"We’d just bought a greenhouse from Otter so we kept them in there.

"When they were around 5 inches, Jonah planted them out into the garden alongside the fence.

"One snapped, but all the others grew into mature sunflowers."

There was a particular sunflower that soared ahead of the others, and Mr Mitchell’s neighbour excitedly gave updates as it grew above fence-height – and carried on growing.

He said: "We had to ask for help from the neighbour once it grew over six foot, as we needed to tie it up, and their pergola was the ideal anchor."

In September, Mr Sturgess, with help of his great uncle, measured the sunflower and sent a photo to Otter’s marketing team, who coordinated the competition.

Smiles on faces for young Jonah (Image: Otter Garden Centres) Marketing manager Chris Amphlett said: "We’d received quite a few entries, but it was clear that none were as tall as Jonah’s – it was a clear winner.

"He did really well as the weather this year meant a much slower start for sunflowers."

Mr Sturgess visited the Wincanton garden centre to collect his prize, a £20 gift voucher, certificate, and voucher for a free drink and cake.