A LOCAL community has come up with a fun way of raising spirits amid the coronavirus lockdown.

Dallas and Kellas residents last week took part in a scarecrow-creating competition, with families challenged to design a unique scarecrow in their household groups.

There were 41 entries in total – including an effort from Moray's lord lieutenant Seymour Monro and his wife Angela. All submissions and judging took place online.

Jill Sutherland, who brought the idea to Dallas, was pleasantly surprised with the response it got – and said it sums up the community spirit in the area.

She said: "I saw my cousin doing a similar thing in Spean Bridge and thought it would be nice to try it here.

"It was so well received and I'm delighted by how many people took part. There was a really good variety of people entering.

"We do a lot as a community and we are very lucky to be so tight-knit at a time like this.

"The banter has been great and it has kept everyone going."

The winners of the competition were the McCallum family – who created the fiddler on the roof.

But, while the McCallums left with the prestigious Dallas Scarecrow trophy, judges Patsy and Charlie Gerrie said all involved were winners.

The competition, Jill added, has given locals something cheery to take their minds off of cancelled plans.

"We had loads of plans for VE Day," Jill explained. "We were planning a street party but that is cancelled.

"The kids' picnic has been cancelled, too, and, while it hasn't been confirmed yet, the Gala won't go ahead this year.

"We have to try to do something else to take our minds off things as I think the kids are struggling a wee bit.

"We are lucky where we live that the kids can go out and play until it's dark – but they haven't got that now.

"This has been great and there have been so many people taking part, including people I didn't expect to."

Gallery1

Dallas woman making PPE for carers.

Dallas bus shelter acting as community library.

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