A BANANA plant grown in a Grange-over-Sands garden has flowered following the recent warm spell.

The Japanese Musa Basjoo, otherwise known as the Japanese fibre banana, was planted by Jonathan Denby at Yewbarrow House.

The plant is normally grown in England as an ornamental plant. Mr Denby said 51 consecutive days of sunshine over the summer had seen the plant flourish and flower.

“Bananas are not supposed to flower in England, let alone produce fruit," said Mr Denby. "This one has a bunch of about 20 bananas. I’m looking forward to eating them later this year, if, by a miracle, the summer continues.”