PREMATURE babies and children at a primary school are set to benefit from a charity summer sunflower trail in Crewe Green which raised £7,252.

Now the money is to be split between Friends of Haslington Primary School and Leighton Hospital's Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, each receiving £3,626,

Alex and Simon Lewis planted hundreds of sunflowers on their Crewe Green farm to mark their 10th wedding anniversary and the 100th year of the Lewis family being tenants on the Duchy of Lancaster-owned farm.

The sunflowers were planted around the perimeter of a maize field – all of which are being harvested in the autumn ready to be used as livestock feed.

The adventure trail took visitors on a 1km long route, which allowed them to immerse themselves in the countryside.

More than 150,000 sunflowers were enjoyed by scores of visitors with some of them travelling from far afield, including London.

The event was such a big hit that the Lewis family plan to make it an annual event.

Both of the Lewis's two children spent time in Leighton's Neonatal Intensive Care Unit.

Alex said: "We just wanted people to have a good time and enjoy themselves. Everyone missed out during the lockdowns and sunflowers evoke happiness for so many people.

"We were overwhelmed with the success of the trail and thank everyone for their support. Honestly it was such a lovely few weeks meeting and greeting people."