As we trawl the internet for advice on keeping Clive alive against the odds, the words 'tomato plant' are put into Google News.

Amongst a host of stories on death and destruction by hailstone, torrential rain, weevil things and, of course, walnut trees, we find that our own tale of Clive's adventures is being offered to the international audience.

Of course they have to put 'tomato plant' into Google, which is probably outweighed by those typing naughty things, but there we are all the same.

Next door to Clive in the list of news stories on tomato plants is a stunning discovery.

We are not the only people with a pet tomato. In fact, in the latest online edition of the US-based Christian Science Monitor is a very touching feature by a Mary Lou Healy about Mae, her plant. And it's an incredible tale because Mae is still alive even though she started as a tiny seedling LAST summer.

That's right, Mrs Healy kept the plant alive right through the winter. She even took Mae with her when the family moved home and the now very elderly plant is still going, as the author explains, "looking a bit like Miss Haversham of Dickens fame".

Every now and again Mae's dead bits are gently picked off, but never too many at a time so she doesn't go into shock. And once in a while she produces a tomato.

It's like Clive has a girlfriend across the pond.

Read more about Mae