A LOCAL farmer needs your help to stop birds interfering with his fruit trees and bushes.

Joel Sprason, Hawarden Estate's resident farmer, is appealing for scarecrows to keep the pestering birds at bay.

Scarecrows will help to deter our feathered friends from picking at his crops, meaning the estate's harvest will be more bountiful than ever.

For that reason, the estate is holding a scarecrow competition, with the best being put to use on the site.

And it's not too late to enter. If you are a school group, an organisation, a bunch of friends or you would simply like to join in, then please do get involved. So, move over adults. This is a job for the children, so get creative.

Gather your friends, classmates, your neighbours and your family. This is a team effort and, there is prizes to be won.

This project need not cost any money. Head to the back of the garden shed, delve deep into the bottom of the wardrobe and have a rummage in the garage for those lost and forgotten boots and coats.

Remember the environment when creating your entry, why not use up some old clothes or something that would otherwise go into landfill?

Bright colours are best for distracting birds from pecking at trees and seeds. And don't forget, this is a competition after all and you want to make the finest scarecrow in the land. It's no fun blending in, right?

During February half term -Saturday 23 until Saturday March 2- grab a voting card from the Hawarden Farm Shop and head out to the fruit trees to pick your favourite.

The winner will be announced at 1pm on Sunday March 3 at the Farm Shop.