Twenty-four imaginatively-dressed scarecrows could be found scattered around the villages and the spectacle drew a steady flow of visitors from far and wide.

Main organiser Yvonne Sizeland, of Narborough Road, Pentney, said it was the first time the villages had staged such an event and the intention was simply to have fun. "It was very varied and there were lots of good ideas," she said.

Among the scarecrows was a farmer propped up against a tractor with his rake, a police officer with a message for fast drivers, an artist sitting on a pavement, a gardener relaxing in a deckchair reading a newspaper and a cyclist.

Refreshments were served at Narborough Church Centre on the Saturday and at Pentney Village Hall on the Sunday, and on the Saturday evening a barbecue at the same location in Pentney attracted more than 70 people.

"The whole thing was a very happy village weekend and we are going to do it again next year because the response has been good and people made pleasant comments about it," she said.

Mrs Sizeland came up with the scarecrows idea to give villagers something to look forward to in the year between the craft and produce shows that the local WI runs at Pentney Village Hall every two years.

"Some people may have held back because they were not quite sure what was expected, but having seen what took place I am sure more will want to be involved next time and this event will grow," she said.