Diggle scarecrow winners crowned as trail raises thousands

The hotly anticipated Diggle Scarecrow Trail, which sees residents get crafty by erecting their own scarecrows, takes place during the Easter holidays every year and is put on by the Friends of Diggle School.

This year followed the theme of music and saw some interesting and hilarious scarecrows dotted around the village, including Freddie Mercury, Dolly Parton, the baby from Nirvana's Nevermind album, Ed Sheeran and many more.

Tracy Buckley and her Madchester medley (Image: Scarecrow Diggle Trail)

Friends of Diggle School (a parent-teacher association) has since revealed the festivities raised an incredible £5,000 - all the proceeds of which will go towards the village school.

The registered charity said the funds enable it to buy things for the school that it cannot afford in its budget.

Previous years have seen the money go towards a play park for the children and a running track for the school field.

But the best scarecrows, as voted by those who took part in the trail, have also been revealed.

The six best as voted by the adults (Image: Diggle Scarecrow Trail)

In the adult vote, the 'Madchester' assortment has been crowned the winner, followed by The Spice Girls, The Village People, Freddie Mercury, Mary Poppins and the Nirvana baby.

Meanwhile, the children voted Miss Trunchbull as their favourite, followed by Glastonbury (which had Ed Sheeran on the centre stage), Humpty Dumpty, The Muppet Show, Frozen and Shrek.

The top six as voted by the children (Image: Diggle Scarecrow Trail)

The top three in each category are awarded prizes that have been donated by local businesses while the runners-up have bagged some Easter eggs.

In a post online, Diggle Scarecrow Trail announced next year's theme is going to be TV, "so we are looking forward to a mix of all sorts - box sets, soaps, reality TV, Netflix, Prime, sports, News - the list is endless", the group said.

The committee also took the opportunity to thank those who took part and the businesses that helped to make it happen.

Trail sheets could be bought from Grandpa Greene's, The Diggle Hotel, Diggle Lock and The Gate Inn.

The Village People was another top favourite (Image: Diggle Scarecrow Trail)

Prizes have also been donated by the businesses, as well as some additional treats by Diggle Band Club and Cook, Eat, Shop at Saddleworth Cookery School.

Meanwhile, Danielle Kirkham of Kirkhams in Uppermill donated sweet treats like she does every year.

Finally, Saddleworth School was thanked for letting visitors utilise its car park for free to enjoy the trail. 

"Well done to all the winners and to all the other fabulous scarecrow creators.

"We could not do the trail without you", the group added.