A SCARECROW festival has been dedicated to inspiring individuals and local heroes during the coronavirus pandemic.

Tatton Park’s gardens and farm are celebrating a selection of heroes chosen by local children.

Meet Marcus Rashford, teachers Ms Spendlow and Miss Williams and Aldi’s hand sanitiser, are some of the many people and characters depicted as scarecrows.

More than 100 children from local primary schools have contributed their hero suggestions or drawings.

Three winning designs have been made into scarecrows for the festival.

Elodie Jeffries, eight, nominated Manchester United football player Marcus Rashford for his work in supporting free school meals during lockdown.

Josh Borradaile-Falp, seven, chose two of his hero teachers and Elliot, 10, selected Aldi’s hand sanitiser.

Some schools have been busy choosing, designing and making their own scarecrows which will also be on display.

Dozens of scarecrows dotted throughout Tatton Park’s Gardens and Farm are all very well dressed, thanks to kind uniform donations from companies and local employers.

Scarecrow festival

Visitors can look out for Royal Mail posties, Virgin train workers, DPD delivery and Arriva bus drivers to name a few, Manchester United FC has even donated a football kit and our wonderful volunteers have provided NHS workers outfits.

The Scarecrow Festival runs throughout half term until Sunday, June 6.

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Scarecrows have a long history, dating back thousands of years.

Simon Tetlow, Tatton Park’s head gardener said: " “Scarecrows are still a valuable addition to any vegetable garden.

"Yes, they’re traditional and low tech, but they really help in deterring crows, pigeons, and even squirrels.

"These pesky garden invaders can do a lot of damage to young plants especially at this time of year.”

Scarecrow festivals remain popular events up and down the country but the name ‘scarecrow’ varies from place to place.

On the Isle of Skye, they’re known as Tattie Bogals, in Berkshire it would be Hodmedod, Mommet in Somerset, Mawkin in Sussex, and in Scotland it’s a Bodach-rocal or ‘old man of the rocks’.

See if you can you spot all your favourite heroes in amongst the beauty of the Gardens and animal fun down at the farm.

Parkland entry and tickets for the gardens and farm can be booked online at www.tattonpark.org.uk.

Please note that social distancing measures are still in place and tickets are limited.