THE WINNERS of this year's Scarecrow Festival were crowned over the weekend, with the enormous T-Rex creation taking the top prize.
With hundreds of creations popping up all over the borough, residents once again highlighted the creativity of the town through a plethora of interesting, ghoulish and quirky imaginations.
Local legend Johnny Vegas announced the three winners on social media on Friday night (October 29), and noted some special mentions for the designs that didn't quite make the cut.
The top prize went to the T-Rex creation from Sarah and Martin Blackett in Eccleston, winning a £500 donation from Griffin Inn in Eccleston.
With the festival in aid of Willowbrook Hospice and the Standing Tall foundation, residents have raised more than £16,000 so far throughout the festival and the charity ball over the weekend.
The raffle for the festival ends this week so it is hoped that the amount pushes the £20k mark.
Speaking about the "almost impossible" decision to choose a winner, Johnny said the T-Rex took the top spot for its "sheer scale".
The comedian said: "This thing belongs in a theme park, you cannot take this down. Leave it up, I don't care if it rots where it stands.
"I don't know how many hours went into that, I mean it's bigger than the Ruddy House but I just thought it is so impressive as a build."
Second prize, with a cash donation of £250 from Odin Recruitment in Stockport, went to Tommy the Soldier from Gillian Cowley in Sutton.
Johnny commented: "[This design is] moving, artistic, belongs in the gallery. It kind of took my breath away when I saw this.
"With Remembrance weekend coming up, I think this is phenomenal. I think it's a work of art, [so] thank you to whoever made this."
The final prize went to the Gray family in Eccleston for their depiction of Edward Scissorhands, winning £100 in cash.
Johnny added: "I like a bit of horror [...] and the fact that they offered a chair with a sign so people could take selfies with it and giving up their garden.
"Cracking build, love the likeness. I've worked with Johnny Depp and he'd be chuffed with this."
Explaining that it was "spectacular" to see so many families getting involved in the festival in aid of Willowbrook Hospice and the Standing Tall foundation, Johnny also spoke of some notable designs that caught his eye.
Scarecrows that got a special mention were the tarantula in Eccleston, the Incredible Hulk in Bold, Wilson the football in Clock Face and the re-creation of Johnny Vegas and Johnny Welly in Sutton Manor.
Johnny stated: "I am touched and flattered to have been made into a scarecrow and to be sat next to the St Helens legend Johnny Welly.
"Whoever made this thank you so much. It's so funny and it's so in keeping with Johnny and the smiles that he brought to everyone he met.
"So I'm gonna make a donation to Willowbrook Hospice on your behalf."
Festival creator Amanda Fieldhouse said: "Congratulations to our scarecrow winners, every single person who got involved has done so well and helped raise money for charity.
"It's a lovely community event [and] we have had lots of schools, nursing and residential homes get involved this year which has been fantastic. I have also seen childminders and nurseries taking the children to see scarecrows and the children being absolutely thrilled at seeing them.
"The T Rex even had a minibus turn up and children get out to see it! Everyone who took part has made a difference."
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