A VILLAGE'S scarecrows have proved such a hit that they are going "on tour".

Twenty four exhibits from the village of Sawley, near Ripon, will be dotted around the Great Yorkshire Show in Harrogate next week.

Later the creations, which range from Yorkshire Test cricket umpire Dickie Bird to David Beckham and Posh Spice, will be taking up residence at a Ripon classic car event, at Clotherholme Farm, on July 14.

The scarecrows are now a regular feature of the run-up to Sawley's country fair held last weekend, when hundreds of pounds were raised for village hall funds.

Spokesman for the event Martin Kirbitson said: "It's a real boost that our scarecrows are taking to the stage at the Great Yorkshire.

"But local residents do put an awful lot of time and effort into making some wonderful creations, which prompt lots of praise from the public. It's a tremendous boost that the exhibits are now going on tour for a wider public to see."

A Wimbledon-style tennis clash took first prize - but the creators forgot to leave their name and the organisers are now trying to trace them.

Spiderman, created by Jane Spedding and her family, was runner-up and the scarecrow depicting cricket umpire Dickie Bird, by Ted and Arlene Flexman, was third.