Donald Trump tipped to be the prize dummy after straw poll

No less than three entries in the annual All-Ireland Scarecrow Championships are effigies of the controversial US presidential hopeful.

Entrants flock every year to Durrow, Co Laois, to compete for a 3,000 euro top prize for the most outstanding scarecrow in its field.

Martin Lawlor, 64, who runs a florist and nursery in the small midlands town, along with his 93-year-old father Harold, created one of the Trump entries.

“It’s called Trump Card,” he said.

“The reason we created it is because Trump is making such a fool of himself - every time he opens his mouth.”

Mr Lawlor said he re-created the Republican White House candidate as a “very big figure to show his very big ego”.

“I think he has very good chance of winning here in Durrow, and if he does he could win the big prize in America too,” he said.

Other political big-hitters lampooned in the festival include Boris Johnson.

The newly-appointed Foreign Secretary is represented as a straw sheep being sheared in a piece called Fleece The Politicians.

Welsh footballer Gareth Bale’s likeness has been fittingly fashioned from a straw bale.

The late legend David Bowie - re-imagined as Ziggy Strawdust - as well as rapper Macklemore also feature this year.

The Durrow Scarecrow Festival runs until Sunday when the All-Ireland Championship winner - voted by a panel of judges - will be announced.