A BROTHER and sister were overjoyed after their stolen scarecrow reappeared in time for their village fair competition - and won first place.

Eight-year-old Georgia Bergin, who attends St Mary’s Primary School in Hawkshaw, spent eight hours crafting the cycling scarecrow with her brother Jack, aged six, for Hawkshaw’s Scarecrow display.

As reported in last week's Bury Times, Georgia was left devastated after her creation was wheeled away from her front wall at some point between midnight on Tuesday June 23 and 6am on Wednesday June 24.

Villagers exhibited their scarecrows in the lead-up to the Hawkshaw Gala, which was held over the weekend.

Families throughout the village prepared and displayed their sport-themed scarecrows as part of the gala which included a range of stalls, marquee, music and dog show.

Mum Tracey, who lives in Bolton Road with husband Tim, said: “The scarecrow was found in the undergrowth down Two Brooks Lane, not far from our house, by a lady walking her dog. Its trainers and bike had been taken and it was a little worse for wear.

“She managed to drag it up the lane and leave it at school for me.

“We decided to make another bike out of garden canes and tubing and, after a spruce up, repositioned him back on the wall with a sign round his neck saying 'this is how I'm rollin’ since my bike and shoes were stolen'.

“On Friday night, the bike appeared at the gala, after it had been found in the bushes around the field. His trainers never reappeared though.

“It's still a mystery as to why it was taken and who did it.

“Georgia and Jack were excited he had been found, it was big news at the school and they were brought out of their classes to see him.”

Each scarecrow was given a number and voted on by people attending the gala, and Tracey added: “Georgia and Jack were very proud to receive a certificate for 'Best Scarecrow in Hawkshaw 2015'.”