PANS of water and lots of Golcar sunshine have helped Hannah Mitchell grow a prizewinning sunflower.

Seven-year-old Hannah is this year's winner of the Examiner's Sky High Sunflower Campaign.

And the secret of her growing success?

"Just lots of water. I've used one of mummy's pans to water it every day and it has just grown and grown," she said.

Hannah, who goes to St John's Junior and Infant School, Golcar, entered the competition, along with friends at Parkwood Brownies.

And her four-year-old sister, Bethany, helped with the watering, which resulted in her sunflower growing to 240 centimetres high - nearly 8 feet.

Hannah has also raised £72 in sponsorship for Kirkwood Hospice, Dalton, helping to boost the total raised to well over £1,000.

Youngsters taking part were sponsored for the height of their sunflowers.

Second place went to Amelia Womack, 10, of Almondbury, whose sunflower grew to 236cm. And the Croxford sisters, of Meltham - Leah, 10, Bethany, seven and Jessica, three - came third with their sunflower, which reached 233cm. The sisters came fourth last year.

Five-year-old Lauren Ward, of Highburton, came fourth with a sunflower of 218cm, helped by three-year-old sister Chloe.

More than 900 youngsters took part in this year's campaign, which was supported by Armitage's Garden Centres, of Shelley and Birchencliffe, Sutton's Seeds and Cobwood Trophies, of Milnsbridge.

Winners received trophies, watches and packets of seeds.

Kate Leadbeater, the hospice's community fundraiser, thanked all the children for taking part.

"We are delighted to link up with the Examiner this year for the sunflower campaign and would like to say a big thank you to Armitage's, Sutton's and Cobwood," she said.