FERGUS the bustard has become the latest star of an online competition marking the countdown to the new unitary Wiltshire Council.

The competition launched on 22 December asked photographers to come up with images of numbers from 100 down to one to mark the 100-day transition to the new council that comes into existence on 1 April.

David Waters, who runs the bustard charity, hit on the idea of using Fergus and his orange 21 wing tag as his entry.

Jane Scott, chairman of the new council’s implementation executive, said: “It is highly appropriate Fergus the great bustard has flown in to join our countdown to the new council.

“This competition is proving very popular, with Fergus just one of around 300 images people have submitted so far.”