An amateur gardener has been left delighted after his giant, rare plant finally flowered after 25 years - despite knowing it will soon die.

Tony Kennington, 78, said he and his wife Padrica, 76, were given the agave americana in 2000 when it stood at just 45cm (18inches) tall.

Over 25 years, the giant plant shot up to more than 6m (20ft) tall and earlier this year grew bright yellow flowers.

The agave americana is also known as the century plant as it can take up to 100 years to produce flowers.

However it was always die after those have bloomed.

Mr Kennington, from Hartford, near Huntingdon in Cambs, said: "I knew this plant would flower one day."

"But I thought 'Would I ever get to see it?' and I have."

"It's been a bit of competition between me and the plant over who was going to live longer."

Tony and his wife were given the agave americana in 2000 and it stayed in a plant pot for five years.

The retired builder said: "It was looking a bit sad."

"Instead of sticking it in another pot, I thought I'd stick it in the ground."

"Five years later, we decided to build an extension and I dug a clay hole with a mini digger and plopped it in the hole."

"I thought it'd probably die but at least I'll give it a chance. It thrived."

Over the next ten years, Tony said the agave americana 'grew like mad' and he made a frame and a roof to go over the top.

He said: "In May, the whole thing looked a bit odd. It had thinner leaves in the centre. "

"It suddenly dawned on me the flower spike was emerging out of it and I quickly had to remove the roof."

"It was growing a couple of inches a day. "

"It was stood like a spike for a while and then the arms started opening out on it."

"The flowers started to emerge and they're starting to open. It's two thirds of the way to the top."

The plant species is native to Mexico and the United States, specifically Texas - but are lesser known in the UK in suburban areas.

The plant dies after flowering but produces adventitious shoots - or 'buds' from the base - which allows for its growth to continue.

Tony said: "I've got lots of little ones so I'll have something else to live with."

"We've only had one bad frost in the last ten years and I'm certain global warming has contributed to that."

"If you've got one yourself, don't assume it doesn't need watering. "

"Mine has never gone short of water in the summer months and it loves it."