IF you had been in Kearsley this weekend you may have seen some strange sights.

From a fisherman partaking in their favourite leisure activity in a pet shop carpark to Eddie the Eagle ready to dive into a pint of beer at the aptly named Spread Eagle pub, it all formed part of the Kearsley Scarecrow Festival.

In its second year, this year’s crop was as popular as ever with 175 creations on display and thousands of people descending on the village to hunt them down.

Organisers hailed it as another success while a panel of judges, which included Great British Bake Off 2016 contestant Lee Banfield and and Miss North West, Christina Cunningham, picked the best of the bunch.

By combining their forces, the families of Walker Close were crowned winning resident for their Alice in Wonderland scene.

Isabel Fairhurst, aged 11, from Walker Close said: "The festival is really good. I like seeing all the scarecrows and seeing how much effort everyone has put in."

Neighbour Robb Hogg, aged 44, also helped create the Mad Hatter's tea party scene with son Roman, aged eight, and daughter Imogen, aged 13.

He said: "There were five families altogether involved. Last year we all did a separate one and none of us won but all the ideas were brilliant! This year we thought we would give it a go together.

"It took us about a week to get ready and it's been brilliant.

"It is a great little close, everyone knows everyone, and that makes the win even better."

Other winners on the day included Shoreside Stables who won best business with its depiction of the Queen celebrated her 90th birthday on a straw horse.

Meanwhile churches, schools and organisations all got in on the act hosting cake sales and fairs for visitors to enjoy on their hunt around the area.

Providing music on Sunday were the Kearsley Youth Brass Band who paraded around the area dressed as an array of scruffy scarecrows.

Coming along for a second year were Andrew Kay, aged 45 from Stoneclough, and his children Isabell, aged 10, Thomas, aged seven and Abigail, aged five.

He said: "We spent yesterday walking around Stoneclough looking at all the scarecrows and we have decided to drive round Kearsley today.

"Everywhere you go everybody is joining in. The children love it and when we were walking round they were bumping into everyone they know from school. It's a proper community event.

"We are definitely getting involved next year!"

Organisers drew up eight maps providing a variety of routes for visitors to check out all the creations on show.

Taking place over Saturday and Sunday, all proceeds from the family event will be put back into the community.

Festival leader Tracey Wilkinson said: "It has been really good and really successful, it has been very busy!

"I've seen people out and about cycling, walking , taking their cars. Everyone gets involved helping to put on entertainment, it's brilliant.

"Seeing everyone out and about and hiving fun is the main thing and the reason we do this."