Crop growth for space age

Man scoops £1m dog food shopping

A BRITISH team has adapted a NASA method for growing crops to work even in desktop-size farms.

Seed “speed breeding” could yield six generations of wheat a year, versus two by traditional methods.

Study leader Dr Brande Wulff said it may help face “tomorrow’s challenges”. WHO’S A GOOD BOY? Patrick and Paula with 9-year-old Ollie A COUPLE will never moan about their dog’s fussy eating again – after it landed them a £1million jackpot on a Lotto scratchcard.

Patrick Morling had done the week’s shop but made a special trip to Asda, the only place in the area that sells 24-tin packs of the Butcher’s chunks springerstaffy cross Ollie insists on.

And while he was leaving he decided to have a punt on Monopoly Classic.

Patrick, 60, said: “Ollie is very particular about his food so I had to go to a different store to stock up for him.

“I decided on a whim to buy a scratchcard. Normally it’s a £2 one but I decided to treat myself to the £5 Monopoly Classic.

“When I’d finished playing I got back in the queue and handed it to the sales assistant and asked her to verify it. It created quite a disturbance and I enjoyed the hugs and pats on the back I received from the other shoppers.”

He and wife, Paula, 54, from Havant, Hants, are now planning to buy their dream home and go on holiday – and will make sure Ollie, nine, is rewarded.

Paula, a school lunchtime supervisor, said: “He will get lots of treats and we may buy him a nice little bed.” Patrick, a storeman at a paper cup firm, added: “I might treat him to a new Bonio. He’ll live his lifestyle like we have lived ours but he’s never been spoilt.” On holiday plans, he added: “We have always wanted to go to New Zealand and had promised ourselves this for our 30th wedding anniversary earlier this year but finances wouldn’t allow it. Looks like instead we can do that trip for our 31st.” They have also offered to pay for their youngest daughter’s wedding and the deposit on their other daughter’s house. Patrick said: “It really is magic. Who would have thought a trip to buy Ollie’s dog food would have resulted in us chatting about paying for weddings, round-the-world trips and dream homes?”

It really is magic, who’d have thought ... I might treat him to a new Bonio

PATRICK MORLING ON FUSSY EATER OLLIE LEADING TO WIN