An artist's impression of the giant scarecrow

Plans for a Scarecrow of the South statue have been helped by the offer of possible location for the giant.

Haguelands Village, which features a farm shop, maize maze and bistro at Burmarsh could also host a 100ft scarecrow in tribute to Dr Syn.

Artist Terry Anthony and entrepreneur and publican Niko Miaoulis came up with the idea as a form of Marsh Angel of the North.

They both believe the Marsh should attract people from across the country and reckon a rallying point such as the scarecrow would be a big help.

That point was taken up by Haguelands.

Manager Kevin Saunders said: "We supply local produce to as many local people who want it but I don’t think that is enough to survive in this day and age and we should attract more people to the Marsh.

"Niko and Terry approached us because of where we are and that we had the infrastructure in place.

"From where we are it is something that improves the Marsh and will encourage people to come down here.

"I haven’t had any feedback yet but I know it is a matter of time. Some people don’t like change and some people cherish it, but anything to help the area.

"We are always trying to come up with ideas to attract people to the Marsh and we try and highlight different aspects, from a farming point of view and other angles. Dr Syn and the scarecrow have got great history on the Marsh."

Niko Miaoulis said: "We have had a couple of meetings and they are on the same wavelength as us, working to get a good stream of good-quality tourists on the marsh and gett a good income stream to them and us.

"What we did at Dungeness [with the Pilot] we want to do here.

"They have the infrastructure there so from the environmental point of view ther will be very little impact.

"I have got an architect friend of mine who lived over-looking the Marsh to scope the project and cost it."