The tallest sunflower in Norfolk revealed by EDP readers

A couple from Long Stratton have grown this summer's tallest recorded sunflower in Norfolk, with one reaching 11ft 2in in height.

Karen and Malcolm Watkins planted dozens in their garden at the start of the season and the towering specimen was the only survivor.

Karen's husband Malcolm Watkins pictured with the couple's only surviving sunflower of this year which stands at 11 feet and 2 inches tall (Image: Submitted)

The couple are among many who have been monitoring the height of their sunflowers this summer and then sharing their data with the Eastern Daily Press.

Alan Sissons' wife looks up at their towering 11 feet tall sunflower (Image: Submitted)

Alan Sissions, an accordionist from Stoke Holy Cross, had many tall sunflowers in his garden, with the tallest reaching 11ft - more than double the height of his wife, who is 5ft 4in.

Archie from Norwich's 11 feet tall sunflower (Image: Submitted)

Archie Hopes, from Spixworth near Norwich, also managed to tend his sunflower - held up by his garage - to 11ft.Pauline Moncur-Clark pictured with her 10 feet and nine and a half inch tall sunflower (Image: Submitted)

Pauline Moncur-Clark, of Brundall, nursed a sunflower in her garden that reached 10ft 9in.

She is planting more next year in the hope of reaching the same heights again.Graham Watlow's sunflower which is nine and a half feet tall (Image: Submitted)

Graham Watlow, of Palgrave Road in Great Yarmouth, planted his sunflower from seeds that doves and pigeons had spilled from his bird table. The plant reached 9ft 6in.

He said its head was so heavy that the neck was struggling to support it.

Miranda Vasey, of Nottingham Way in Great Yarmouth, pictured with her nine and a half feet tall sunflower (Image: Submitted)

The unofficial contest among readers was prompted by Miranda Vasey, of Nottingham Way in Great Yarmouth, after she got in touch with this newspaper to show off her sunflower, which also reached 9ft 6in.

READ MORE: Caister woman's towering 11 feet 3-inch sunflower

However, winners the Watkins still have some way to go to beat the world record for the tallest example.

That title belongs to Hans-Peter Schiffer in Karst, Nordrhein Westfalen, Germany. His sunflower reached 30ft 1in and needed special scaffolding around it.

The current record for the tallest sunflower in Britain is held by Richard Hope, of Wigan who set the record in 2012 with a whopping 26ft specimen.