The winner of a town’s first ever scarecrow festival was presented with a foot-tall trophy yesterday afternoon.

Alison Bargery, from St John’s Road, Epping, received over 65 per cent of the votes from attendees with her Willy Wonka design

The debut event was held by gardening society, Epping in Bloom, to encourage residents to participate in community events.

A total of 240 people turned out between Saturday, June 8 and Sunday, June 9, to spot all 38 straw-stuffed designs created by participants across Epping.

On collecting her gold trophy, Ms Bargery said: “It’s so exciting, I'm so surprised and delighted.

“It was a lovely event to be part of.”

Victoria Robertson, chairman of Epping in Bloom, said the festival will run again following the huge success.

“It was absolutely brilliant,” she said. “it was so lovely to see the children happy, we were able to engage with them in the garden and do a variety of growing activities.

The £320 money raised last weekend is to be put towards a new picnic area at the Market Garden Terrace on Epping High Street.

To register for next year’s Scarecrow Festival email eppinginbloom@gmail.com