A Welsh Conservative Assembly Member and his son have become world-record holders, after making the unusual discovery of a record-breaking weed!

Clwyd West AM Darren Millar, and his 13-year-old son Toby, discovered the world's tallest hawksbeard plant in Kinmel Bay, North Wales - it stands at a staggering 6ft 6inches, or 198.1cm.

The previous record was 177.8cm, or 70 inches – well below the surprise discovery made by the Shadow Secretary for Education and his son, whilst walking their dog in the Conwy county area where they live.

Mr Millar initially thought the extra tall find was a dandelion, but it was later identified as a hawksbeard, or Crepis Biennis, by John Rippin, Head Gardener of Bodnant Gardens. He verified the find and a coveted Guinness World Record was confirmed on Wednesday. 

Darren Millar AM said:

“Toby and I just couldn't believe our eyes! Walking the dog, we suddenly spotted this absolutely enormous weed. I guess it goes to prove that you literally never know what might be around the corner!

“I believe this is the first time Kinmel Bay has been mentioned by Guinness World Records, too.

“We found the weed just a few days before my 40th birthday and it's always been an ambition of mine to break a world record; it's the best present I could ever have hoped for!”

Toby Millar, Darren’s son, added:

"Most world records seem to be set by adults so it's cool that we discovered this plant together and that I get to be a Guinness World Record holder too!"

A Guinness World Records spokeswoman said:

"We are delighted to be able to ratify the achievement of the tallest Crepis plant.

"Congratulations to Darren and Toby on their new Guinness World Records title.”

Please see attached photographs, showing Darren Millar AM, son Tobias, and John Rippin, Head Gardener of Bodnant Gardens, with the record-breaking weed.