VILLAGERS are gearing up for the 12th annual Blackrod Scarecrow Festival.

Hundreds of people are expected to turn out this weekend to see and enjoy the residents' wonderful creations.

Organisers have said that as many as 130 scarecrows have been "lovingly created" this year and are waiting behind closed doors to emerge on Saturday and Sunday to bring a smile to visiting faces.

During the event, St Katharine's Church and the Methodist Church will be open for refreshments and there will be market stalls set up.

Blackrod Primary School and Blackrod Church School will also be open, as is the Owls Nursery, to keep the youngsters entertained.

Blackrod Library will be holding activities as well as hosting the annual art exhibition.

Red gazebos will be erected around the village, from which the programmes will be sold. They are £2 each and will include a map showing where the scarecrows are.

And there will be a free minibus giving short tours of the event leaving St Katharine's Church on the hour every hour. For more information, go to the Blackrod Scarecrow Festival Facebook page.