A REPLICA of the world’s largest straw goat has been erected at a Wasdale farm.

The Gävle Goat - a giant version of the traditional Swedish Yule goat figure made of straw - has been recreated at Yew Tree Farm.

Goat farmer Margie Simper spent last Christmas in Sweden with her family, where they got to see the world’s largest straw goat.

The Yule goat is an important symbol in Scandinavian Christmas folklore - Santa’s sleigh is pulled by a goat, who helps deliver the presents.

Goats (boks) made of straw are popular Christmas decorations in Sweden.

Margie said: “We saw the Gävle Goat in all its lit-up, shining glory.

“This was a holiday treat for me because I keep a small herd of dairy goats.

“My two children, Nick and Eleanor, also have their own goats now as a hobby and we take them to the local agricultural shows every summer.”

This Christmas Margie mentioned to her son that she missed seeing the famous festive display so he set about constructing a giant straw goat of their own.

She said: “With no plans in his head other than to copy the Gävle Goat as closely as he could, Nick, with some help from Eleanor’s boyfriend, James, built a bok in our garden looking out over the Wasdale Screes. It has the best view in the world.

“It took six days and was finished on Christmas Eve when we had a ceremonial lighting of the fairy lights.”

Margie believes the straw goat, which stands between three and four metres high, may be the only construction of its kind in the country.

She said: “We want to let people know about it in case there are any homesick Swedes who would appreciate it as such an important part of their culture.

“It is certainly a sight to be enjoyed by our guests as they drive up our hill to our cottage.”

At 15m tall, the Gävle Goat in Sweden attracts visitors from all over the world, with its own webcam broadcasting live pictures online.

It is famous for being sabotaged and has been burned down by arsonists many times.