And now the cactus belonging to Charlie Stride has burst into spectacular life in Great Yarmouth after a 25-year wait during the sweltering heatwave

Mr Stride's cactus has bloomed and flowered for the very first time since he bought it in Chatuchak Market in Bangkok, Thailand, 25 years ago.

Charlie Stride and his San Pedro cactus (Image: Nelson Walker)

Mr Stride, 73 and from Apsley Road, said: "I was fascinated to see something coming out of my cactus. I just fell in love with it basically.

"To know it has grown into something so gorgeous and come out with such a beautiful flower is amazing.

"It was six to eight inches tall when I first bought it. It is now three foot six inches and the........

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