The Evening News published a picture of five-year-old James Dowey who had grown one which was so tall he had to use a set of stepladders to water it.

Connor Howarth, 10, and his six-year-old sister Georgia, of Coldyhill Lane, have both managed to grow a sunflower which has reached a height of 9ft.

They planted the seed in March and the shoot quickly appeared. Connor said: “We knew it would be really big because it had a thick stem and bushy leaves. It’s higher than the garage roof.

“It grew to the washing line quite quickly. It’s yellow and looks like one you see in the cartoons. I don’t think I will get into gardening, it was just for something to do.”

James Bateman, eight, of Ryedale Crescent has been growing his sunflower since July for a school competition. It has reached the dizzy heights of 7ft 4ins.

His mum, Tracey, said: “He planted it in the pot himself and every day, first thing in a morning he is outside watering it.”

Twins Sam and Josh Penny of Chantry Drive have grown a sunflower 7ft 4 ins.

Mum, Judith, said: “They have grown it for charity, Send A Cow, and raised £50 already.”

Charlie Hunter, of West Ayton, has grown a sunflower at his grandma's house in Newlands Park Road. It has reached 8ft 3ins.

Mum, Wendy Hardy, said: “He got the plant from Beavers and has been growing it since it was just 2ins tall. He waters it every day.”

Frank Laughton of Candler Avenue, West Ayton, has grown not just one, but several sunflowers. His tallest has grown to 8ft.

He said: “We went to a garden party and they gave us the seeds in aid of MacMillan Nurses.”

Shaun Dunwell is a porter at the hospital. He and his work colleagues have been growing them in friendly competition – and his has grown 13ft.

He said: “In fact the sunflower was shared between me and a neighbour, but my neighbour moved, so we now have it at our house.”

l Do you have a taller sunflower? Contact the Scarborough Evening News with details on (01723) 363636.