A KENDAL grandmother whose front-garden scarecrows have been entertaining neighbours for years says it is all worth it if it puts a smile on people's faces.

Linda Reynolds, of High Garth, currently has the a scene of Beatrix Potter characters at the front of her home, entirely handmade herself.

Displaying scarecrows is something she has done since before she moved to Kendal from Bradford six years ago, having attended a scarecrow festival in her daughter's home village of Cullingworth, near Keighley.

"All the houses had these wonderful scarecrows but they were all put in the bin the day after," said Mrs Reynolds.

"I just thought it was such a waste so I took them home and put them in my garden and from there I just made more and more."

Mrs Reynolds' display changes regularly, with the time of year or for particular themes at the request of her grandchildren.

"At Christmas it's Christmassy and at Hallowe'en they're all scary. This year, because my granddaughter absolutely loves Peter Rabbit, I've done Beatrix Potter characters, and Harry Potter is coming next year."

Mrs Reynolds added she spends months meticulously planning the displays, keeping an eye out in charity shops for materials she may be able to use.

The carrots Peter Rabbit steals from Mr McGregor, for instance, are made from disused hi-vis jackets.

But while Hallgarth continues to enjoy its ever-changing set of outdoor neighbours, Mrs Reynolds vowed to carry on cutting and sewing.

"I just love doing it," she said. "I've had a stroke and I can't do a great deal but this is something I can do while sitting down.

"Although you get a few people tutting at them, I do it for the smiles. My thinking is, if I can make just one person smile then it's all worth it."