GREEN-FINGERED schoolchildren saw the flowers of their labours after scooping the top spots in a tallest sunflower contest.

Pupils at Sedgefield Primary School, in Rectory Row, County Durham, were given sunflower seeds to plant in their gardens earlier this year and have been watching them grow ever since.

That’s after the town council’s Sedgefield in Bloom committee organised the challenge for children along with the village’s other school, Sedgefield Hardwick Primary.

And yesterday (October 5), town mayor, Councillor Gloria Wills, visited the school to present five children with awards for their efforts, including Thomas Hogarth, seven, whose 3.2m sunflower was named tallest in the village.

Fellow classmates were also recognised with Amelia Pilling, six, winning second prize, sisters Evie and Emily Legender, seven and ten respectively, coming joint third and Isla Littlefair, six, scooping fifth place.

Headteacher, Andrea Cox, said she was very proud of the youngsters, especially Thomas, who has won first place three times in a row.

“They are obviously doing something right for sunflower growing in Thomas’ garden,” she said.

“I think out of six winners, five were from our school so we have obviously got green fingers.”