DARLINGTON’S mayor Brian Jones had to look twice when he visited Middleton Hall Retirement Village recently.

For residents had performed their own ‘mayor-making’ ceremony and created a scarecrow in his likeness.

Both the Mayor and Mayoress of Darlington were invited to view the entries for the Village’s Annual Scarecrow Competition, one of the activities Middleton Hall put on for the National Care Home Day.

After much deliberation and despite the possible charge of favouritism, the mayor chose the mayor as the winner.