Raoul Parnici from Durston was presented with a £50 gift voucher after winning a scarecrow competition held by Monkton Elm Garden & Pet Centre.
The three-year-old scooped the top prize in the contest with his scarecrow, which was modelled on a little girl.
Andrew Pitman, Plant Manager at the independent, family-run garden centre at Monkton Heathfield in Taunton, said: “We challenged people of all ages to produce the best scarecrow for us to put on display outside our Pondside Café. Congratulations go to Raoul for winning the competition.
“We were amazed with the variety of entries we received, all of a very high standard. Everyone put in a huge amount of effort.”
The judging panel, which included Allan Cavill, Regional Director of the National Allotment Society, chose Raoul’s entry as the best. He received a £50 gift voucher to spend at Monkton Elm Garden & Pet Centre.
Andrew added: “Congratulations also go to 12-year-old Annabel Crow from Bampton who came second with her Bradley Wiggins scarecrow. She received a £20 gift voucher.
“Niamh Cave, aged five, and her sisters Molly, 11, and Megan, 13, from Cotford St Luke came third with their entry. They received a £10 gift voucher.
“This is the first year we have run a scarecrow competition and we hope it will become an annual event at the garden centre. We are already looking forward to seeing next year’s creative entries.”
Monkton Elm Garden & Pet Centre is celebrating its 30th anniversary this year. The award-winning garden centre was launched in 1982 and is run by the Bellman family with the help of nearly 100 staff. Some have been with the business for more than 25 years.
