A series of bikini-clad mermaids put the phwoar into straw at the annual Gravesham in Bloom scarecrow competition.
The Deputy Mayor, Coun Greta Goatley, led the judges at the event in Community Square, with 21 entries from schools, individuals and local organisations.
The scarecrows: The winning entry, submitted by Gravesham Arts, is the first on the right
Coun Goatley said: "All the judges had a tough job and the voting was incredibly close because the standard was so high."
This year’s theme for the South East in Bloom competition is the coast, and the participants followed that theme with lots of mermaids and even a river princess among the entries.
The judges: Deputy Mayor Coun Greta Goatley, her daughter Victoria and Gravesham Council Director of Communities Melanie Norris
The town has already been decorated with street art of coastal images in key places where flowers cannot be planted and the scarecrows will add colour to other areas across the borough.
Planting and the flower baskets will continue throughout this month ready for the judges in July.
Third placed Evie and Grandad Warren
The scarecrow winners were: 1st Gravesham Arts; 2nd Wrotham Road School; Joint 3rd Lawn Road School and Evie and Grandad Warren.
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