A scarecrow competition for both adults and children has been launched by Otter Garden Centres.

Entrants are invited to create a bright, original and fun figure that can be displayed at the Ottery branch of the business.

The competition is running in all seven of Otter Garden Centres' branches, and customers will be asked to vote for their favourite scarecrow in each category. The overall winner will receive a greenhouse worth £1,000.

Otter Garden Centres Managing Director, Jacqui Taylor, says “This is the perfect way to encourage families to spend time together outdoors and get creative.

“We’re hoping to see lots of original ideas that not only keep the birds at bay but also dazzle with their artistic flair.”

The scarecrows need to be portable so that they can be transported to the Ottery branch, and they must be taken there by Sunday, July 23 to go on display the following week.

Jacqui added: “To catch the imagination of voters, scarecrow designs should be bright, original, and fun; they don’t need to be big, but they certainly need to be full of character! And we’d love to see the incorporation of any items recycled from the garden, like bamboo canes, dried flowerhead, seed trays, even old tools.”

The scarecrows will be displayed for a week of judging by customers from Monday, July 24. The top three entries in both categories will win Otter gift cards to the value of £50, £30 or £20. Once the branch winners have been announced, Jacqui will then choose the overall winner who will receive the top prize, a greenhouse from competition partner Elite Greenhouses. 

She said: “This is a fantastic prize from a top quality British manufacturer. We’ve worked with Elite for many years and their products are highly recommended by our garden buildings team.”

To help entrants get started, Otter Garden Centres has put some tips on making scarecrows on its website, alongside the full details and T&Cs of the competition. The advice includes making a solid frame, using plenty of stuffing, and sourcing clothes and accessories from charity shops.

For more information visit ottergardencentres.com/scarecrow/