SCARECROWS are set to sprout up again this summer for the second year running.

Blaenavon Town Council are urging people to create their own scarecrow and enter the competition in aid of the Arthur Jenkins Care Home.

The event went ahead for the first time last year during lockdown, bringing a smile to the faces of passers-by.

And with restrictions now being lifted, organisers are hoping it will be even bigger this time.

A council spokesperson said: “It’s back! The council is delighted to announce the return of our Scarecrow Festival – and this time it’s not going to be a lockdown one!

“Following the success of last year’s competition – which our residents clearly enjoyed taking part in – we’ll be running another through the summer.

“Again, we’re supporting local resident Matt James to run the event.

“Matt will be setting up a Facebook group to ask people to send in photographs of their entries, which will be judged by a council panel in late August/early September.”

There will be three adults’ prizes of £100, £75 and £50, and two under-16s prizes of £50 and £25.

Town mayor Cllr Liam Cowles said: “The council is pleased to support Matt by donating the prize money for this event.

“It’s a great idea which will lift people’s spirits at a time which, although not as restricted as last year, has still to see the resumption of public events.

“We were thrilled with the popularity of last year’s competition and also pleased to see more than £300 raised for the Arthur Jenkins Home. Let’s hope it does even better in 2021.”

Entry is £5 via JustGiving.

Last year’s winners included Jane Hill and her keyworker refuse collector, Angela Taylor and her Paddington Bear, and Lyn Russell and Ralph Russell and their Captain Jack Sparrow.

Cllr Alan S Jones, who was mayor at the time, said after presenting the prizes to them: “This is the first time Blaenavon has ever had a scarecrow festival and it was brilliantly organised by Matt.

“The quality of the entries was impressive, to say the least, and demonstrated how much talent and creativity there is among our local residents. Well done to all who took part.

“The fact that the money raised is going to our own, very special Arthur Jenkins Home, which is always so protective and caring of its residents - but particularly through the pandemic - is the icing on the cake.”