A Bolton village played host to a host of scarecrows this weekend as a famous festival made its return.
The Blackrod Scarecrow Festival was held over Saturday and Sunday, attracting visitors from near and far too see the elaborate displays scattered throughout the village.
Families, schools, churches and more got in on the act, with scarecrows designed around all kinds of different themes.
Angela Stridgeon, who helped organise the event, said: “It’s been really successful, it was a brilliant day and the weather held out for us which was good.
“We’ve had a new venture, St Andrew's Artisan Market, which was at St Andrew's hall and they had all kinds of food and drink on sale.”
She added: “But the real crux of it is the scarecrows, they’re what have had visitors flooding in.
“We couldn’t have done it without the sponsorships of local business and of course the volunteers, we’ve had some absolutely brilliant volunteers.”
Mrs Stridgeon’s husband Keith agreed and added that the cricket club and community centre had also been key in helping to host the event.
He said: “Its been very, very well attended, there’s been lots of food and outside tombolas and the cricket club and community centre have put things on as well.”
People came from near and far to enjoy and help with the festival including Mayor of Blackrod John Price.
Over the weekend, the village played host to a total of 130 scarecrows with themes ranging from familiar Wizard of Oz styles to more modern Disney film or superhero inspired designs while families were also able to enjoy stalls and fairground rides.
Cllr David Grant said he was happy to see the event prove to be such an enduring success.
He said: “There's been a good few volunteers running the stalls and my wife’s been down there as well.
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“It’s an incredible community event and we’re really happy that’s proving to be so successful year on year.
“We’re also really grateful to all the local businesses that have made this possible and to Dickinson’s Skip Hire that have helped keep the area clean.”
The Blackrod Scarecrow Festival will return again next year and is expected to take place during the last weekend of June.
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