JUDGES found something to crow about at a competition held in Darlington recently.

A winning entry for a local retirement village’s scarecrow competition was deemed outstanding in her field.

Mabel the cleaner was just one of many homemade scarecrows made by the staff and residents of Middleton Hall Retirement Village, Middleton St George.

Audra Hunt, the village’s Living Well Manager, had the idea to create the scarecrows to ward off unwanted visitors that had been plaguing their new community allotment.

Ms Hunt said: “We had great fun making them and it really brought the residents across every part of the village together.

“The scarecrows were so lifelike a member of staff was heard talking to one until they realised their error.”

The village’s creations came alive just in time to meet judges from one of the North-East’s most popular competitions.

Judges from Northumbria in Bloom had to look twice during their visit after meeting other entries including Aunty Sally, Stan the window cleaner and Herbert the farmer.

The village’s managing director, Jeremy Walford, said: “This has been a really fun and interactive project for the staff and residents, and the creativity here at Middleton Hall continues to astound me.”

Middleton Hall has scooped a Northumbria in Bloom Gold Award for ‘Best Kept Grounds of a Care, Residential or Convalescent Home’ in the Day Care Centre or Hospice category for the last four years running, with hopes to clinch first place again in this year’s competition.