THOUSANDS of scarecrow loving residents and visitors to Belbroughton will be making hay later this month at a popular annual event.

Belbroughton Scarecrow Festival returns for its 21st year with the village set to be taken over straw-stuffed characters on the weekend of September 24 and 25.

This year’s literary-based theme will be ABC – Authors, Books and Character – chosen following a competition that attracted hundreds of ideas.

Scarecrows are expected to be on display in gardens, rooftops, on the village green, hedges and hanging off lampposts during the weekend.

Last year, the event raised more than £52,000 which was donated to local and national charities.

This year, organisers are also hoping to get into the record books with verification that Belbroughton’s is the biggest scarecrow festival in the world.

Among the other attractions at the festival will be a ‘Bake Off’ competition, a large classic car collection, live music, children’s activities and a selection of food and drink to enjoy.

The show will be compered by Craig Pullen and other events include Rich Goodwin doing aerial displays at around 3pm on both days, a ‘Knight School’ in the school field and the chance to have a go at bell-ringing in the church tower.

A spokesman for the festival said: “We believe ours is the biggest scarecrow festival in the world and we're looking to get that record verified.

“We are providing more of what we know people like, a safe and family-focused day out with is great value but continuing our focus on scarecrows.

“There will be a significant change to the traffic management this year so we are asking people to plan their journeys and not to drive through the village.

“There will be a significantly increased traffic management presence who will guide you to one of the designated safe parking areas.

“We’d also like to remind people outside of Belbroughton that they don’t need to be a resident of the village to build a scarecrow and enter it into our competition. Last year the standard in the 'out of village' category was amazing.”

Tickets cost £10 per car and people can get more information by visiting www.belbroughtonscarecrow.co.uk