Kira Bradley's green- fingered gift for growing has made her the toast of her school.

The five-year-old, who is a pupil at Ludworth Primary School in Durham, has grown a 391cm (12.8ft) sunflower in a competition run by County Durham Waste Awareness Partnership.

Her success has also secured for her school a £100 cash prize to be spent on outdoor teaching resources, a home composting bin and £50 for outdoor play equipment.

Kira planted the sunflower seed in her grandfather's garden in Shotton Colliery, last spring.

When the official measuring took place it was found that Kira's entry was 116cm (3.8ft) taller than the second-placed plant grown by Ropery Walk Primary School, in Seaham.

More than 35 schools across the county took part in the competition which aimed to raise awareness of recycling and composting as well as introducing children to gardening skills.

"The competition has been a great way for schoolchildren to learn more about gardening techniques and hopefully will encourage a whole army of young gardeners to take up home composting," said Councillor Alan Cox, Durham County Council's cabinet member for waste.

Willington Primary and Wingate Nursery schools secured third and fourth place in the competition.