IT IS the quirky village contest that straws in the crowds.

East Hendred’s annual scarecrow trail sees villagers create their own models and display them outside their homes.

Residents and visitors have been picking up their £1 maps to tour the village, and rate the straw creations.

The sixth scarecrow trail, this year with a Disney theme, began on Saturday, August 18, with 20 entries.

Organiser Val Prior, from East Hendred Entertains, said: “People love it and it’s a cheap afternoon out for kids. It’s fun.

“It brings people into the village and it gives a community feel. Everybody gets involved.”

Entries included Snow White and the Seven Dwarves, a broomstick from Fantasia, a talking Mickey Mouse, Minnie Mouse, Kaa – the snake from the Jungle Book, Pinocchio, and Bambi.

The scarecrows were on show until Sunday when Malcolm Prior was named winner for his Snow White entry, at the East Hendred Family Show.

It is the second year running the 62-year-old, fromCoulings Close, has won.

Last year he won with a kingfisher entry.

He said: “It is just a nice village thing. It’s a challenge to see how creative you can be.”

Martin Johnson, owner of Hendred Stores where the maps were on sale, said: “The bar has been raised this year.

“The standard was very high.

“And it’s a better turn out than last year with more people coming to the shop to get the maps.

“There are a lot of people coming from outside the village. We get people from Didcot, Wantage and beyond.

“It’s fantastic for the village and local businesses.

“People are getting to know about it now.

“They phone up the shop throughout the year asking when it is going to be on.”