A SCENE from a summer fete painstakingly recreated in straw has won this year’s Bisterne Scarecrow Festival.

The annual event, which takes place in the rural communities of Bisterne, Kingston and Sandford, between Christchurch and Ringwood, has attracted 23 entries.

Liz Cox’s scarecrow Summer Fete, complete with a palm reader in a tent, swept the boards with Liz from Sandford being judged the overall champion.

Organiser Sylvie Edgell, chairman of the Bisterne village hall, said: “It is an incredible creation outside Liz’s house, measuring around 20 ft across.

“It’s our 11th festival and the standard of this year’s entries has been fantastic.”

For her efforts, Liz won the Jocelyn Gratwick cup, in memory of the local resident who started the festival but sadly passed away two years ago.

The winners of the single scarecrow were couples Julia and Rupert Brewer and Sarah and Dave Melbourne who combined their talents to create Gruffalo.

The pair of scarecrows winner was a spectacular straw version of Saint George and the Dragon, created by the 3rd Ringwood Scouts who were assisted by Angela Cork, owner of Ringwood Fabrics.

Retired Derek Mitchell from Kingston spent several months recreating James from the Thomas the Tank Engine in straw, perhaps this year’s most elaborate scarecrow design.

All money raised will go towards the village hall. Sylvie said: “Over the years we’ve been able to carry out various works to the hall, funded by the sale of maps and donations. This year we will concentrate on interior improvements.”