A GIANT sunflower dominates the view from a Lowton garden -- thanks to birds.

Astonished couple Audrey and Henry Howarth watched with amazement as a 12-foot sunflower shot up in their Rowan Avenue garden.

The Howarths hadn't planted any sunflower seeds, but believe they know the mystery gardener. They suspect a bird may have dropped a seed after a spring feast at their bird table.

Audrey told the Journal: "We never planted sunflower seeds this year. We've tried to grow them in the past but without much success. We think birds from our bird table have dropped some of the seeds while flying away and now we have this enormous sunflower. It seems birds can grow better sunflowers than we can!"

But Audrey and Henry believe the sunflower, with a stem a whopping two inches thick, has now reached its full size.

She said: "We don't think it will get any bigger. But we still have relatives coming to have a look."