PRIME Minister Theresa May and biologist Charles Darwin were among the hay-filled characters on display at this year's Wray Scarecrow Festival and Fair.

Children from Wray Endowed Primary School chose the theme "Evolution: Existing, Endangered, Extinct", which inspired more than 100 scarecrows to be created and dotted around the north Lancashire village.

Sitting atop a dodo, the straw-stuffed version of Charles Darwin made by Ken Wilson won first prize in the theme category.

Orangutans by the Parkinson family came second, and in third place was a beekeeper with 200 tiny bees made from yellow and black pipe cleaners, by Ruth Gordon.

"It was a lovely festival," said committee member John Gordon, who estimated more than 12,000 people flocked to Wray over 10 days.

The "Mad Chatters" tea party featuring Mrs May, Boris Johnson and other Cabinet members talking about Brexit scooped the topical prize for John and Anne Yellowley.

The Wright family were inspired by the famous 1930s photograph of ironworkers eating lunch on a girder above the New York City streets. Their half-dozen scarecrows tucking into sandwiches and cups of tea won the chairperson's prize.

The winning traditional scarecrow was made by Graham and Julie Whiteley, while the best animated model was by the Bobbin Mill community group, depicting the French Revolution - a play on the word evolution. A caveman by the Watts family won Thomas's Trophy.

In the schools category, Cedar House School came first with their Noah's ark. Dinosaurs created by Wray Endowed School wee second, and Melling St Wilfrid CE Primary School came third with its display about the threat posed to sea creatures by plastic.

Mr Gordon praised the effort put in by school children as "absolutely fantastic" and said their exhibits were always very popular.

He also thanked the many volunteers working behind the scenes to stage the festival.

"It's such a great community event," he told the Gazette.

"The community comes together to run this and we are so grateful for all the support we get."

The festival also featured a 10km road race, 100km cycle ride, giant scarecrow parade, car boot sale, fell race, fair and soapbox derby.

The winning team in the primary schools' six-a-side football tournament comprised Sam Coop, Alexander Muenstermann, Daniel Lawson, Max Newport, Nathan Hill and Mo Cheshire, from schools in Wray, Hornby and Over Kellet.

Morecambe FC donated a trophy, and the winners are to be invited to a match and a tour of the Globe Arena.