A NATURE-enthusiast has caught the attention of her neighbours by growing an 11-foot sunflower ... although her sister doesn't know if it's a "gift or a danger".

Echo: Growing strong.Growing strong.

Meera Shiva, of Hazelwood Grove, Leigh, with her sister and has developed a love for gardening since moving to the area two years ago.

The 33-year-old is now so attached to the impressive sunflower she even donned high heels and a bright yellow dress to take pictures... admitting her neighbours "must think she is mad".

Since planting the sunflower at the end of February this year, the plant has shot up to 11-foot tall - equivalent to 3.35 meters.

Echo: Meera measuring her amazing flower.Meera measuring her amazing flower.

Miss Shiva plants sunflowers every year in her garden but they normally only grow to roughly half the height of this summer's flower.

She said, “I do this as a hobby, I’m far from a professional. I am so proud of how tall it is grown... I’ve become quite attached to it now.

“I love nature and try to encourage it as much as possible in my garden, there’s a lovely squirrel that keeps on coming and climbing up and down the flower I love seeing him every day.

“The neighbours must think I am mad because I climbed a step ladder and I got dressed up in a matching yellow dress and heels to pose for some pictures next to it

“I live with my sister who has mixed emotions about the flower she says she doesn’t know if it’s a gift or a danger. Next year I hope to beat 11ft and maybe even get a record, I’ve got a long way to go.”

Echo: Bright yellow dress to watch the sunflowerBright yellow dress to watch the sunflower

Miss Shiva used the seeds from last year's flower and has watered it every morning and evening since it was planted.

Surprisingly, she did not use any preservatives or sprays on the flower.

To the tallest sunflower in the UK was measured at a whopping 26 foot in 2012 in Wales.

Miss Shiva said the key to a tall sunflower is finding a sunny spot with good soil.