STRAW-stuffed versions of Her Majesty the Queen and a popular Belbroughton councillor were among the highlights at this year’s Belbroughton Scarecrow Weekend.

The family fun event, now in its 15th year, attracted thousands of visitors to the picturesque north Worcestershire village over the weekend of September 29 and 30.

This year’s theme was 2012 which prompted quirky straw tributes to events and famous faces of the year including Queen Elizabeth, celebrating her Diamond Jubilee, and tragic pop star Whitney Houston who died in February.

There was also a wurzel-version of a more local celebrity - Belbroughton councillor Janice Boswell, this year’s civic head for Bromsgrove District Council, created by 12-year-old Amelia Wagstaff.

Cllr Boswell said: “I thought it was absolutely fantastic. I’m privileged to think somebody wanted to do it.”

She added: I really thought it was a wonderful weekend - I think the people of Belbroughton really go all out to get it right; it was wonderful.”

As well as a host of weird and wonderful scarecrows hanging from buildings and adorning gardens and street corners, attractions at the two-day festival included children’s inflatables, facepainting, craft stalls, church bell towers tours, an art exhibition, floral displays, music, steam train, birds of prey, farm animals, classic cars, farmers’ market and a barbecue.

Money raised from the event will go to a host of good causes in the village.