LITTLE Sutton's annual Scarecrow Festival is back – and bigger than ever!

Now in its third year, it is estimated that this summer's event – running between June 20-27 – has up to 300 scarecrows for people to see.

Facebook action group PALS (Positive Action for Little Sutton) is behind the festival and has got scores of residents and businesses involved.

The group has produced an online map which has nearly 200 markers on it – although with several scarecrow makers creating more than one its likely that there are between 250-300 to see in total.

The map makes finding the creations easier as scarecrow spotters can travel around the area using it on their smartphones.

PALS says the feedback for the festival has been positive from all over Ellesmere Port and beyond.

Chester and District Standard:

Chloe Russell, aged four, with 'The Little (Sutton) Mermaid'

The scarecrows will form part of both PALS' first entry to the RHS Britain in Bloom Competition in the ‘Its Your Neighbourhood’ category, and the Ellesmere Port In Bloom bid where local organisers are hoping to improve on the silver award that was gained in 2019, before Covid interrupted last year’s preparations.

All ages in the community have joined in from nurseries and primary Schools through to retirement homes.

One of the PALS founder members, Steve Hewitt, said: "We were unsure how many scarecrows we’d get this year – we were worried that with lockdown and home schooling being at the time of last year's festival we’d had more scarecrows made and that might not carry over into this year as Covid restrictions are lifted.

"Luckily though it seems people have been planning their scarecrows for months – there are some amazing Scarecrows this year."

Local graffiti artist Devious again produced a custom banner to advertise the festival which can be seen next to the Sutton Way/Green Lane/A41 crossing.

  • To view the Little Sutton Scarecrow Festival map click here.