VILLAGERS have been working for months for the annual Orton church exhibition and village scarecrow festival.

The theme of this year's event, which takes place from today until Sunday June 3, is four seasons.

“Last year’s scarecrow wedding was a big success and really surprised people with the variety of the 'guests' and the detail, creativity and work involved,” said Brenda Iveson, one of the organisers of the church exhibition. “For 2018, we wanted to do something completely different and a team of volunteers has been working through the winter months to create scenes that will fill the church building with snow and ice, spring flowers, autumn colour and a summer wedding.

"There will even be a bee hive, several unseasonal pumpkins and an igloo involved in the displays!”

The same theme will apply to the scarecrows around the village and villagers will be able to vote for their favourite straw character.

Both the church exhibition and scarecrow festival will open at 10am on most days - opening at 1pm on Sunday May 29 and Sunday June 3. Refreshments will be available throughout with cream teas over the Whitsun weekend and Bank Holiday Monday May 30.