A VILLAGE has staged its first-ever scarecrow festival for Christian Aid.

And the event, at Haworth, has been hailed as a huge success.

Residents and businesses displayed a range of creations, based around Christian Aid Week’s theme this year of climate justice.

Everything from polar bears to bees, and figures ranging from Sir David Attenborough and Greta Thunberg to Dolly Parton, could be spotted.

An online fundraising page was set-up, at justgiving.com/fundraising/haworthscarecrows, which has coined-in over £1,300.

The Rev Chris Upton, of West Lane Baptist Church in Haworth, said: “Over the past five years our main fundraiser in Christian Aid Week has been a pop-up shop through the week and the 1940s Weekend.

“This year we needed something Covid-safe, that brought some fun and connection to the local community and encouraged people to get out and walk around after such a long time in lockdown.

“More brilliant scarecrows appeared than were on our map – and we welcome donations on our Just Giving page from anyone who has enjoyed hunting all of the creations.

“The scarecrows were everywhere – in people’s gardens, right down Main Street, at pubs, galleries and local businesses and along onto Mill Hey. It has been so heartening to see our community doing something positive and uplifting to support those communities already affected by the climate crisis.”

Christian Aid Week brings together over 20,000 churches every year to support communities in need globally.

Pandemic restrictions meant usual fundraising activities were curtailed this time and events had to take on a different look.

For further information about Christian Aid and the work of the charity, visit christianaid.org.uk.