Twelve of the best designs at St Helens Scarecrow Festival

Started as a way to lift spirits during lockdown, the Scarecrow Festival has had hundreds of entries to its competition over the last three years.

With people of all ages getting involved in the festivals and the charity balls, residents have helped to raise tens of thousands of pounds for Willowbrook Hospice and the Standing Tall Foundation.

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As ghoulish creations have again popped up outside homes this month, the top three designs will be decided by comedian and actor Johnny Vegas on Friday, November 4.

While the competitors wait to see who has been crowned the winner, here are twelve of the best designs this year.

The Gruffalo and friends (Image: Ian Pugh)

Strangers Things themed designs in Windle (Image: Jaine Riley)

A tribute to Johnny Wellies, Always loved, never forgotten (Image: Teresa Travis)

St Helens Hall care residents created this design of a veteran and his wife waiting for their son to return home (Image: Jackie Anne Smith)

A long line of designs at Nugent House School, Billinge (Image: Nugent House School)

The Sanderson Sisters (Image: Helen Turner)

'Grayscrow Perry' has been made with old materials that were bought at Willowbrook's Donation Centre (Image: Beverley Heaton)

'Frida Scarecro' in Billinge (Image: Cathy O'Brien)

'Algenon the Gardener' (Image: Diane Whitelock)

A terrifying design in Eccleston (Image: Katy Gray) 
An elevating Max from Stranger Things (Image: Paddy Leonard)
A farmer guarding a house with a few bottles of wine (Image: Lynn Owens)