SCARECROW-loving Belbroughton residents turned out in force to celebrate a popular annual festival.

Thousands of people made hay at the Belbroughton Scarecrow Festival, which took place on Saturday and Sunday (September 24 and 25).

For this year’s event, a literary theme was adopted and a host of authors, books and characters were catered for.

Organisers are still totting up the total amount raised, which will be distributed to local and national charities, while they are still waiting for verification on whether they have achieved their goal of becoming recognised as the biggest scarecrow festival in the world.

As well as enjoying the imaginative straw-stuffed creations, visitors were treated to live bands, a large classic car collection, a bake-off competition and a host of children’s activities.

But the event was about the quality of the scarecrows and a host of winners took home prizes after wowing judges.

The best overall scarecrow was “Straw of the Worlds” by Suzanne and Steve Perkins, who took home £200. Best interpretation of the theme went to Sami and Amie for their “Three Little Straw Pigs”, earning them £100.

Most original scarecrow was adjudged to be “ChriStrawpher Robin and Friends” by the Boss Family and Gaynor Grainger which saw them collect £100.

The Blain Family were also given £100 after they were given the best technical/creative award for “Snow White and the Seven Hay Bales”. Ella Firth was awarded £50 for the best pun with her effort “Strawhorse”.

The event also saw more than 80 entrants from outside of the village entered, and the best out of town scarecrow was won by Hasbury pre-School with their "Scarecrows Wedding". They won a £100 prize.

For more pictures from the festival, check out our photo gallery here.