VILLAGERS have pulled out all the stops for an annual scarecrow festival as they tackled the theme of proverbs.

More than 40 scarecrows have been entered into Cotherstone’s Scarecrow Festival, which runs all week ahead of the Teesdale village’s carnival this weekend.

And the creations have certainly got both residents and visitors talking as entrants used their creative flare to have everything from a fat lady to Dr Who featuring in the competition.

One of the carnival organisers, Jenny Watson, said she was very impressed by the entries, which will be judged by villagers Peter and Joy Collyer who won last year’s festival for their take on the song titles theme with Good Vibrations.

She said: “We have had more entrants than we ever thought and they’re all outstanding - I think it’s a tricky theme but people have really got their heads together and done some really interesting ones.”

The winner will be announced at the carnival on Saturday, from 1pm.