A HARVEST of a different kind is planned at Haslingden's St James' Parish Church and it won't involve food of any kind.

This year, to celebrate harvest, the church is appealing for local groups and individuals to make a scarecrow which will then be exhibited in the new exhibition gallery at St James'.

Father Roger Smith admitted: "I was in the Dales and I saw a similar event in Kettlewell and I nicked it!

"I think this will be a good way to celebrate harvest, better than bringing along a tin of beans.

"The scarecrows will collect for the Bishop of Blackburn's harvest appeal entitled 'Restoring the Land'.

"The appeal is raising money for the clearance of landmines in Cambodia and to help farmers in our own country who have been subject to the recent foot and mouth epidemic.

"Groups are invited to provide a scarecrow -- the more the merrier -- and to bring them to St James' on the afternoon or evening of October 4."

Mr Smith is writing to all local schools, groups and organisations asking them to take part in the event.

He is hoping to have at least 50 and maybe even 100 scarecrows to display.

He said: "The scarecrows could depict someone from the Bible, a vicar, they could be a famous person or even something wild.

"We just want it to be a good fun event that raises lots of money and we have plenty of room to display all of the scarecrows in the church."

The church will be open from October 5 to 7 from 10am to 5pm and refreshments and light meals will be available.

For more information contact Kaye Ridings on 01706 216398.

Alternatively call Mary Nuttall on 01706 213491.