RESIDENTS at a Minehead care home have been using their green fingered talents - and a little luck - in a horticultural battle.

Just in case the 2013 summer failed to deliver any sunshine, a group at Somerset Care-owned Wyndham House decided to plant some sunflowers.

A total of 11 were planted at the beginning of May and the contest was on to discover whose would be the biggest and the best.

Unfortunately, some specimens faded away early on but six of the 11 threw down their roots and have been carefully coaxed and nurtured into blooming.

And last week as the flowers began to wilt, the winners were announced.

Joint first place went to Betty Jackson, whose sunflower was the first to bloom, and Mary Simmons, the tallest at seven feet and still growing.

A Wyndham House spokesman said the competition had been a great success and thanks were due to Susan Lee, who had watered the sunflowers daily.

Pictured from the left are Mary, Susan and Betty with activities co-ordinator Eileen Palmer.

Photo: Steve Guscott