FUNDS raised through last year’s Kearsley Scarecrow Festival has been used to install community benches on the eve of this year’s event.

The festival drummed up about £4,000 which its committee has mainly invested in six benches now placed around the area.

They are located at Unity Brook bus stop, Hulme Road Junction, Cemetery Road, Prestolee Bridge, Manchester Road.

And one has been installed in a ‘mystery location’ as a surprise for this weekend’s festival.

Each bench has a plaque which reads ‘Bought for the community by the community. Donated by Kearsley Scarecrow Festival 2016.”

Stephen Tonge, of Kearsley Festival Committee, said it was ‘extremely pleasing’ to finally have the benches in place.

He said:

"When you think about a community you look at it and think 'what's it short of'. Our community is short of lots of things but benches are things that will benefit everybody. If you want to sit down or take a rest it doesn’t matter how old you are.”