SOME new residents have moved into a picturesque North Yorlkshire village - and they are giving the local birds a bit of a fright.

However, the wacky newcomers will only be there until early next month - much to the relief of the local crow population.

Well, near Bedale, is once again playing host to a fundraising scarecrow trail and local people are being urged to play a part with their own home-made offerings.

They have already set to work with a will, using string, straw, old clothes and even shop dummies to come up with their imaginative creations.

Children have also played their part, taking part in a scarecrow-making workshop at the village institute.

But while the results of all their efforts may be scaring the crows away they are doing exactly the opposite for visitors to the area.

For country humour has come to the fore in the form of the rough and ready shapes of the likes of comic character Dennis the Menace and the late Tommy Cooper.

Current trends are also reflected with the help of a busty image of TV gardener Charlie Dimmock and characters from the hit movie, Chicken Run.

One ambitious creation is really making motorists slow down - a roadside traffic policeman complete with radar gun and 30mph sign.

As in previous years, the event will raise cash through an associated scarecrow trail quiz and the question sheets can be bought locally.

All the proceeds will be shared between the institute's funds and the children's unit at the Friarage Hospital in Northallerton.