Could this be Rochdale’s tallest sunflower?

Margaret Richardson with her enormous sunflower

A sunflower grown in Rochdale could be the tallest in the borough, as it has already grown to an enormous height.

Margaret Richardson, of Regent Street, Rochdale, only planted the sunflower a few months ago, but it has already reached 12 feet in height.

Standard sunflowers are usually between 6 to 10 feet in height, although some giant varieties can grow even taller.

Mrs Richardson laughed: “I think it’s the food I’ve been giving them that I bought from QVC.

“I planted them when we were having all the nice weather, and one has at least three or four heads on it. One is at least 12-foot high and reaches my bedroom window.”

Her grandson joked: “Nan’s got it propped up like Jack and the Beanstalk: she’ll need scaffolding on it soon!

“I’ve never seen anything like this sunflower before: I don’t know how she’s done it. People have been coming past taking photographs of it because it’s just so tall.”