What a blooming tall sunflower you have, Ellie

At just four years old, the youngster from Norfolk Park still has lots of growing to do.

But, when it came to growing the tallest sunflower in Sheffield, she really rose to the challenge - and produced a towering 12-foot stem.

She took her efforts to the Sheffield Fayre where she won first prize in the tallest sunflower contest.

And proud dad Robert Purseglove puts her success down to the tender loving care she gave her plant.

“Ellie planted the sunflower seed in April and has lovingly watered, fed, and talked to it ever since,” he said.

Robert knew Ellie’s bloom was in with a chance after seeing a feature in The Star about some of the tallest sunflowers in Sheffield.

Little Amy Ibbotson, aged three, grew an 11-footer at her grandparents’ Woodseats home and scores of other readers, including Roger Thompson, phoned about their big blooms.

Roger, from Darnall, grew four sunflowers, the biggest of which was 12 feet tall.