Pensioner turns 14ft COCKEREL in front garden into festive display

A pensioner has pulled out all the stops for Christmas – turning the 14ft cockerel in his front garden into a festive display.

Jim Hughes, 77, transformed an old ivy-covered cherry tree into an enormous cockerel earlier this year, trimming it into the shape of a bird and adding a red plastic beak and comb.

The 30-minute transformation turned the couple’s front garden into local tourist hotspot.

And now Jim has decorated the huge cock, called Jock, with lights to add a festive feel to his display.

He said: “People are coming from far away to come and see it and they are taking pictures beside it. It’s turned into a bit of an attraction.

“I keep trimming it and keep it in shape. I’ve put Christmas lights on it and people are enjoying it. It’s not for me to judge, but I think it looks alright. It will be there as long as I’m here.”

MORE: Brexit blamed for imminent loss of Pink Panther biscuit
MORE: Amazon’s drone deliveries take off – and it takes 13 minutes from clicking ‘Buy’ to delivery

Jim transformed the old cherry tree using a pair of shears and secateurs while wife Moira, 73, was on holiday and greeted her with it when she returned.

He said people now stop to take photos of it outside their home in East Wemyss, Fife.

“Originally, it was an old cherry blossom tree,” he added. “It got that big that I was worried it would be blown over and hit a car.

“The main trunk is from the cherry tree and ivy has grown up it. I cut it down and shaped it.”