Green fingered youngsters can now brush up on their reading skills after impressing with their horticultural expertise.

Pupils at Upton House School in St Leonard's Road, Windsor and St Piran’s in Gringer Hill, Maidenhead were invited to take part in a sunflower growing competition organised by lettings agents Savills who have an office in Windsor High Street.

The top growers from each school were presented with Waterstones vouchers and certificates – well deserved as some of their plants were measuring an impressive 2.8m.

John Henson, head of office at Savills Windsor, said: “This year’s selection of sunflowers was incredibly impressive. Everyone should feel very proud of their efforts – it was obvious that they’d been looked after with real care and attention. A big congratulations to everyone who took part, but particularly to our winners who I hope enjoy spending their vouchers.”

Craig McEvoy, head of Pre-Prep at Upton House School, said: “It was so lovely to have the Savills team in school to announce the winners of the annual sunflower growing competition. It is always lots of fun and the children greatly enjoyed hearing from John Henson the story about the lifecycle of a sunflower.”