Allotment owners asked for some help to frighten away unwanted birds this autumn by getting primary school pupils to design super scary scarecrows.

The Comet: Broom Barns School pupils Sonny Tyrer, 8 and Logan James, 9 who came in 2nd and 3rd place respectfully in a scarecrow making competiton run by the Stevenage Allotment Society.Broom Barns School pupils Sonny Tyrer, 8 and Logan James, 9 who came in 2nd and 3rd place respectfully in a scarecrow making competiton run by the Stevenage Allotment Society. (Image: Danny Loo Photography 2016)

12 schools built their own scarecrows and grew sunflowers to submit for judging by Stevenage Gardens and Allotments Association.

The winners received their prizes at the association’s annual show on Saturday.

Stevenage’s Broom Barns School went to town on the competition entering 30 scarecrows – the highest number the association has ever seen.

Pupils at Ardeley St Lawrence School’s gardening club won the prize for the best scarecrow. Broom Barns Year four pupil Sonny Tyrere won second prize and Logan Jakes from year five, also at Broom Barns, won third prize.

The Comet: Scarecrows entered into a scarecrow making competiton run by the Stevenage Allotment Society by Broom Barns School.Scarecrows entered into a scarecrow making competiton run by the Stevenage Allotment Society by Broom Barns School. (Image: Archant)

There was a special overall award in recognition of the efforts of Broom Barns pupils in creating the largest number of scarecrows ever seen in the competition.

In the sunflower category, Moss Bury Primary School won the prize for the tallest sunflower at a huge 9ft 2in.

Almond Hill Primary School came second, with a 8ft 3in specimen and Woolenwick Primary School came third for a 7ft 8in sunflower.

The Comet: Scarecrow 1Scarecrow 1 (Image: Archant)