A keen gardener has cared for a plant so successfully, it has grown almost three feet taller than she expected it to.

Helga Butcher, 87, was given two amaryllis bulbs by her son, who bought them back from Amsterdam.

She planted them last year, and the plant currently stands at about three feet tall.

She said: “This one has got 11 flowers on it and is a beautiful salmon pink colour.

“I’ve never grown such a big amaryllis before, it’s absolutely amazing.”