BRANDLESHOLME residents have been putting their creative skills to the test as part of an annual scarecrow festival.

The event, which was first held in 2013, has proved a huge hit in previous years and this year is no different with an impressive array of historical figures on display across the area.

The theme for this year’s event is ‘people from history’, and residents have pulled out all the stops, designing a range of characters from William Shakespeare to LS Lowry to Neil Armstrong.

Drivers could be forgiven for doing a double take when passing through the area, such are the quality of the dozens of figures currently adorning Brandlesholme gardens, which also include Vincent Van Gogh, Desmond Tutu and Emmeline Pankhurst.

The festival started last Friday and will run until Saturday. Prizes for the best scarecrow will be handed out at a grand prizegiving, which will take place at the end of a family fun day at All Saints Church and St Francis House, in Hebburn Drive, on Sunday. The event begins at 1.30pm.

In addition to households, schools, shops and churches in the area have also joined in on the act by creating scarecrows of their own.

Among those taking part are youngsters from Old Hall Primary School. Each class at the school, in Springside View, has designed a scarecrow, and they are all currently on display in the grounds of All Saints Church.

Deirdre Watson, festivals secretary, said: “We have had about 90 scarecrows this year. The effort people have gone to has blow me away.

“It has been a great success even though the rain has battered them.

“It takes a lot of work to put it on, but it is all worth it when you see the community come together and the pleasure it brings people. The most rewarding part is to see the smile on people’s faces and to see neighbours talking to one another.”

“We always have lots of entries, but the hard work and creativity has been fantastic this year. People should definitely come and see the scarecrows because they are simply amazing.”