THOUSANDS of people are expected to enjoy some ex-straw special fun this weekend at a popular annual festival.

The Belbroughton Scarecrow Festival will take place in the north Worcestershire village on September 26 and 27 from 10.30am to 5pm on both days.

Residents in Belbroughton and surrounding areas have been busy making their own scarecrows that will go on display.

The theme for this year’s festival is ‘Icons from History’ and people are being challenged to create straw-stuffed legends with a £100 prize for the winner.

The event will also feature a host of other attractions including traditional rural crafts and skills, food stalls, animals and rides for young children. There will also be an air display by the Rich Goodwin Airshow.

Live music will be provided by the band Clutching at Straws while there will also be performances from Elvis and Rod Stewart tribute acts.

The weekend will also see performances from Kidderminster College singing songs from Frozen and a Gospel set from New Georgia Jazz.

Entry to the festival is £10 per car and a number of charities, both locally and nationally, will benefit from the event.

This year, the festival chairman's chosen charities are the Black Country Food Bank and Kidderminster Food Bank.

Ian Pemberton, the chairman of the organising committee, said: "Our Scarecrow Festival, the biggest of its kind in the UK, goes from strength to strength.

“We're looking forward to welcoming thousands of people to our village, and raising money for local charities.”

For more information on the festival, visit here.