The plant that rose from the dead

For just six months ago, fanatical gardener Jim Davidson believed it was dead.

But plenty of water, an unseasonably warm spring and a good deal of TLC was enough to breathe life back into its roots and leaves.

Now it has bounced back in a big way, and stands at roughly 14ft tall.

Mr Davidson, a retired Hastings publican, calls the plant an 'Ee Bah Gum', but it is likely a type of yucca plant.

He said: "My daughter Jane bought me the plant at a St Michael's Hospice open garden event, and one for herself.

"I just stuck mine in the ground and watered it a bit, then it seemed to die. Jane's was doing fine so I thought, uh-oh, she's going to kill me!

"Then, a few months later, mine came back from the dead out of the blue, and just kept growing and growing. I couldn't believe my eyes.

"Now Jane's is dead and mine's going from strength to strength!"

Mr Davidson, who lives in Waites Lane, Fairlight, used to run The Cambridge pub in Cambridge Road, Hastings, and later The Railway, in Kings Road, St Leonards.

He said the plant is in its third and final year - and going out in style.