THE annual Blackrod Scarecrow Festival is set to return next month.

The two day event will be held across the weekend of July 6 and 7, and will see residents and businesses come up with ideas for a wide range of colourful scarecrows which will line the streets of the village.

Residents are invited to wander the streets and follow the scarecrow trail, with 136 designs expected to be on display.

A mini bus has also been laid on for less mobile residents.

June Hibbert, the festival's organisers, said: "It is a tremendous community event where hundreds of people come and enjoy what the village has to offer.

"Over the last 13 years we have made just over £100,000 for community projects around the village."

Now in its 13th year, the annual festival is organised by St Katharine’s Church in the village.

Displays will appear from 10am to 7pm on both days.

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

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

For more information, call 01204 691575.