This half-term, Sandwell Council is looking for organisations and residents to create scarecrows and join The Big Sandwell Scarecrow Festival.

Residents will be able to vote for their favourites on the Discover Sandwell Facebook page and prizes will be up for grabs for the best scarecrow from an individual, a school and an organisation.

Deputy Leader of Sandwell Council, Councillor Maria Crompton said: “This is an exciting opportunity for people to get creative and do something to put a smile on their neighbours’ faces.

“Don’t worry if you’ve never built a scarecrow before – there are lots of easy demo videos on YouTube and the team have shared one on our Discover Sandwell website that uses basic items you’re likely to be able to get your hands on.”

For details and to submit photos of your scarecrow for the public vote, visit the Discover Sandwell website – where there will also be a map of where to see scarecrows across Sandwell.

Entries must be submitted to the website by 5pm on Sunday 25 October 2020.

Participants must follow government guidance on COVID-19 and only take part in the scarecrow search with other members of their household (or support bubbles of single people who have “bubbled” with another household).

People taking part can share their pictures on social media using #SandwellScarecrows and tag @DiscoverSandwell