THE torrential rain that has drenched parts of the region recently may have been fine weather for ducks.

But not for one special bird, which has waddled into the hamlet of Cowshill, in Upper Weardale, County Durham.

The Shooting Duck, winner of the scarecrow contest, which helps promote the Weardale Agricultural Society's annual show, has had several of its feathers washed away by the rain.

But his creator, Shelly Scholes, says he will be in peak condition to appear at the 136th show being staged at St John's Chapel tomorrow.

Alongside him will be most of the 50 other scarecrows that have appeared on walls and fields in the upper dale.

"I think the shooting duck took first prize because he's very topical as this month saw the start of the grouse shooting season here in Weardale," said Mrs Scholes.

"But because of the number of shoots that have been cancelled due to wet weather, he could be the only shooter left."

BBC radio personality Frank Wappat, who with his wife, Susan, judged the contest, said: "It's amazing how the quality of entries has surpassed previous years.

"A lot of work and thought has gone into the scarecrows. It's been a very difficult job judging them all."

Show organiser Sue Tallentire said: "The contest not only provides an extra at the show, but draws a lot of visitors to the dale to photograph the scarecrows."

Other scarecrow results were: Joint second, two 'P's in a Pod by Bob and Mary Coates, of Daddry Shield, and The Wedding Couple by Janet Dalton, of St John's Chapel; third, Little Boy Blue by Thomas Heslop, of Daddry Shield.