Gallery: The Event - Scarecrow Competition

THE EVENT: The Great Chatteris Scarecrow Competition.

WHAT IS IT ALL ABOUT? A scarecrow competition in Chatteris alongside Chatteris Town in Bloom.

The scarecrow competition is a separate event and does not form part of the Chatteris in Bloom entry.

WHY WAS IT HELD? Heather Kinnear, treasurer of Chatteris Town in Bloom, said: "We thought this would be a fun way of involving the wider community in Chatteris Town in Bloom and raising money for next year's entry. We had just six entries last year, but this year we have had 36, which is fantastic."

Quiz sheets, related to the scarecrows, have been left in several shops in Chatteris and people have paid £1 to enter, with the winner receiving £15.

WHY DO PEOPLE ENTER? Tina Prior, owner of The Old Bakery Café, said: "It's a bit of fun and it attracts people to the business. I also think it's important for local businesses to get involved in community events.

"Last year we dressed a scarecrow up as a nun. This year we've dressed somebody up as a council worker from the 'Be Seen to Be Clean Campaign.' We used the nun's hair to create a beard."

WHAT DO THE WINNNERS GET? Emma Stannard, horticultural officer for Fenland District Council, toured Chatteris to judge the entries.

The winners receive a trophy and every entry will receive a commemorative pen.

AND WHAT MAKES A GOOD SCARECROW?

Mrs Stannard said: "I'm looking for creativity, the amount of work that has been put in and something that highlights something in the community."

WHEN WILL THE WINNERS BE ANNOUNCED? Chatteris Town in Bloom organisers are expecting to hear from the Anglia in Bloom judges, who came to Chatteris, on July 10, on September 9. A prize-giving ceremony for the scarecrow competition will be arranged shortly after that.

WHERE CAN I SEE ALL THE ENTRIES? On the Cambs Times and Wisbech Standard websites, of course.