PUPILS from St James' Primary School in Elstead won the hearts of the visitors at Hampton Court flower show and first prize in the School Scarecrow Competition.

The competition attracted entries from schools across the south east of England and saw visitors to Hampton Court vote for their favourite scarecrow throughout the week.

St James' Design and Technology (DT) Club created its scarecrow, named 'Global Scareclothes', by weaving strips from plastic bags into chicken wire.

Fitting in with the world costume theme, the winning scarecrow has a traditional face and wears a dress designed to look like the globe.

Flying around the scarecrow are seven crows, each representing a continent and wearing the distinctive traditional clothes of each continent.

The crows are made from papier mache, balloons, coat hangers and modroc plaster of Paris and the scarecrow is made from around 80 per cent recycled materials.

Thirteen children aged between eight and 10 researched, designed and made the scarecrow learning a number of skills, including using a sewing machine.

The scarecrow now has pride of place among the raised beds and polytunnel in St James' School's growing area.

For full story, see this week's Farnham Herald.