Hopefully someone else will be able to confirm this, but it looks like a peony to me.

Sorry, Weedfingers, but its a Persian Buttercup (Ranunculus asiaticus). It has tuberous roots, but it will probably be much easier to grow as an annual in the UK. It is from the Middle East, and to perennialize it, you need winters that never get below -4 deg. C, and dry summers. You might be able to store the roots dry over the winter, and start them again in early, early spring in a cool greenhouse or warmed propagator. Have fun with it, Clairey!

they have a funny claw shaped tuber and they sometimes overwinter in milder climes. sadly not where i am so i treat them as an annual/ i leave them in in the hope they will come again.

it's already looking a bit sorry for itself, i think this maybe a one hit wonder, was nice while it lasted anyway, thank you for advise i shall try and bring it back to life, but i have little experience, fingers crossed i have beginers luck.x.