A SCARECROW competition will be among the highlights at Queens Park Academy's big summer event this year.

AFC Bournemouth mascot Cherry Bear and Mayor of Bournemouth Cllr John Adams will open the event at 10.30am on Saturday July 11.

Quad bikes, trampolines, pony rides and inflatable slides are just some of the other attractions on offer along with entertainment from local magician Count Backwards.

Great prizes are up for grabs too with competitions for the tallest sunflower and most creative scarecrow.

The fair has been organised by the Queen's Park Academy Association to raise money for outdoor gym equipment. A similar event held last year raised more than £4,000.

Sarah Simmons, Associate Principal, said: "We’re very proud of our annual summer fair, which gets bigger every year. This time we have PB Animal Adventures who are bringing their unusual pets, delicious food provided by Hockey’s Farm BBQ and a grand raffle with over £1,000 worth of prizes. There will be something for everyone."

With more than 20 craft stalls, fire hose handling and a tug of war, the Scarecrow Summer Fair promises to be a great day out. The Fair takes place at Queen’s Park Academy on East Way in Bournemouth from 10.30am until 2pm.

The event has many sponsors. including Ellis Jones Solicitors. Partner Nigel Smith said: "Queen’s Park Academy is a fantastic community school and the Association has already raised £6,000 this year to help provide vital resources and equipment.

"As a father with three young boys who attended the Academy, I know how hard the staff work to provide the children with a thriving environment in which to learn, so I’m very happy to put something back and sponsor the summer fair again this year.”

For more information visit queenspark-academy.co.uk.