YOU'VE heard of James and the Giant Peach - now meet Tom and the giant sunflower.

Standing at an impressive 14 feet, Tom Cronin's sunflower is more than five times his height.

And what is even more remarkable is that five-year-old Tom grew the monster flower from seed all by himself.

It's the second year the green-fingered youngster has managed to cultivate a giant sunflower. Last year his effort reached a height of almost 12 feet.

Tom's proud mum, Paula, a former teacher at St Joseph's High School, in Newport, said: "He's already managed to beat his previous record. If he continues improving by two feet each year, then we really will have giant flowers on our hands."

The sunflower has now reached such a height that it almost touches the top of the family's Draethen cottage.

According to Mrs Cronin, Tom loves the outdoors and has a gift for growing things.

She said: "He has always loved being outside, and even grew our pumpkins for Halloween last year.

"His great-grandfather and great-uncle were both gardeners - so the talent must run in the family."

Mrs Cronin said Tom put his success down to a secret special fertiliser, as well as a bit of patience and tender loving care.

She said: "After he planted the sunflower, every night before he went to bed he would pray that it would grow.

"He's just fascinated by the whole process of buying seeds, planting them and watching them grow. Everywhere we go he buys seeds."