THIS YEAR'S Overton-on-Dee Scarecrow Competition has received ministerial approval from Clywd South MP Simon Baynes.

Mr Baynes recently made a socially distanced visit to Overton, where he praised organisers of the annual contest for raising more than £1,000 for Hope House Children’s Hospice and Nightingale House Hospice.

The competition, which was started by local residents Les and Jude Moulsdale, was instituted last year to bring some cheer to the town during the Covid-19 lockdown.

For this year the organisers have since exceeded their £1,000 target on their fundraising page.

Mr Baynes praised the standard of the entries for this year's contest.

“The entries to this year’s competition have been second-to-none, and this just highlights the superb creative and artistic talent locally in Overton," he said.

"I’m so glad the competition is back again this year and stronger than ever, after the first which was a great success and a lovely good news story borne out of the pandemic.

"And I was also very pleased to see that the target of raising £1,000 from proceeds has already been considerably surpassed and will go towards good local causes.

"Events like these bring communities together, and I hope that this will continue for many more years to come.”

To donate to the fundraiser, visit uk.virginmoneygiving.com/DoughNationStation/3