Sunflowers to bloom across Mid and East Antrim

The local authority will be delivering free packets of sunflower seeds to 17 local shops.

Residents will be asked to grow their sunflowers in their garden and post their progress online, with the winners being announced in September.

A spokesperson for MEABC said: “Being outside in your garden is a very good thing to do especially in these challenging days. In this new world of uncertainty, nature can be very uplifting. Gardening is also great for children, it makes them more confident and helps them develop leadership skills, making them feel competent and capable.

“So while you are following government advice and staying at home, why not get involved and plant your sunflowers which you can nurture and watch grow over the next couple of months.”

Each family can pick up one pack which will have 10 seeds included - enough for all the household to share.

Below are the 17 stores across Mid and East Antrim where you can pick up a free pack on your next essential journey to buy food:

- Hagan’s Fruit and Veg, Larne

- Freshways F and V, Portglenone

- The Fruit Centre, Larne

- Dayfresh, Cullybackey

- Foster’s, Whitehead

- Slemish Market Garden, Ballymena

- Eurospar, Carrickfergus

- Eurospar, Victoria Road, Carrickfergus

- Spar, Larne Road

- Spar, North Road

- Spar, Carnlough

- Spar, Ballygally

- Spar, Islandmagee

- Spar, Whitehead

- Mace, Greenisland

- Vivo, Broughshane

- NISA, Ahoghill

Measure your sunflower and send to [email protected] by September 1.

A link to the entry form is available at https://www.midandeastantrim.gov.uk/downloads/Sunflower-Competition-.pdf

The spokesperson added: "Remember to tag us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram too, and help keep us up to date on how your sunflowers are growing! Happy planting!"

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