TWO festivals in Bradwell are joining forces to make one massive summer event.

The flower and dog show and third annual scarecrow festival are both being held this weekend.

Residents from Bradwell and St Lawrence are encouraged to display their homemade scarecrows in their front gardens or outside their shop or business.

They will then also be displayed at the flower show.

The scarecrow festival is being sponsored by the Bradwell Community Shop, St Thomas’ Church, St Lawrence Church, St Cedd’s Church of England Primary School and the Bradwell Flower Show.

Rosettes will be awarded for the best traditional and the best novelty scarecrows which will be judged this Friday.

Further information and application forms can be obtained from the Bradwell Community Shop.

The flower Show takes place this Saturday from 1pm to 5pm at the Bradwell Village Hall in South Street.

This is the 82nd anniversary of the show, which was first launched started back in 1936.

The hall will be filled with flowers, vegetables, handicrafts, potted plants, cookery, art, photography and more.

The dog show caters for all dogs with both pedigree and novelty classes, including the dog with the waggiest tail and the fastest sausage eater.

The dog show will be in a shady part of the field because of recent soaring temperatures, a spokesman said.

There are entry classes for all, whether it is the best pedigree dog or best rescue dog.

Other outdoor activities include swordfighting, archery, a photo booth, face painting, falconry, bouncy castles, craft stalls and more.

All the profits from the show will be used to run next year’s show as well as providing donations to the Essex and Herts Air Ambulance and the village hall.