THOUSANDS of youngsters have grown petunias as part of a nationwide competition.

The area finals of the Petunia Easy Wave National Schools Competition were held at the Ruxley Manor Nursery in Sidcup.

The overall winner was Lucy Penniall from Pelham Primary School, Bexleyheath.

Lucy and her petunia now go to the national finals of the competition at the Gardener’s World fair, at the NEC Birmingham, this Saturday.

The winner from each school received a gift token from the garden centre.

Other winners were: Luke Carter (Crockenhill Primary School), Nathan Murphy (Edgebury Primary School), Matthew Moor (Hextable Primary School), Emily Bolton (Joydens Wood Primary School), Sarah Beale (Northumberland Heath Primary School), Christie Monahan (St Bartholomew’s Primary School) and Archie Loyd (Rectory Paddock School).