Hopes Whitchurch scarecrow will deter gas drilling

But one man from Shropshire has found a novel use for his scarecrow – to demonstrate against controversial plans to drill for gas in the area.

Andrew Cunningham, from Whitchurch, thought he would take advantage of the scarecrow competition at this weekend's Iscoyd Fun Day by using his entry to raise awareness of the issue.

It comes after a planning application to drill for coal bed methane in the north of the county was submitted to Shropshire Council.

Dart Energy wants permission to drill a temporary coal bed methane exploration borehole on land north west of The Brooklands in Dudleston, near Ellesmere.

The project has already sparked a series of protests, with public meetings held in both the Ellesmere area and in Oswestry.

Objectors fear any coal bed methane drilling could be the first step towards fracking, potentially compromising the water table.

Mr Cunningham said: "This issue came to my knowledge less than six months ago and I went on various websites to educate myself what is going on.

"I was astounded by the information I found, especially with what is going on in America and Australia where it is in full production.

"It seems if they find what they want then there is not a lot we can do to stop them.

"It seems to be all very political and I am not a political person.

"I have concerns that it is an issue that will be left for my children.

"I fear it will poison our water and industrialise out countryside."

The 53-year-old father-of-three added: "It is my first year living in the area and I thought it would be a good idea to use the scarecrow as a way of raising local public awareness.

"I have called it 'don't frack my future'. I have tried to create a well head with lots of barrels of poison going in the ground.

"I have also got an activist guy climbing over the fence to get in and a young child with a placard."

The seventh Iscoyd Fun Day will be held at Iscoyd Park, near Whitchurch, on Sunday, from noon to 5pm.