HUNDREDS of wurzels will be dotted around a north Worcestershire village this weekend as the

Belbroughton Scarecrow Festival makes a welcome return.

The event is set to take place this Saturday (September 23) and Sunday (September 24).

Committee member Rob Pagett said: “We are so excited to be back for 2023.

“We believe ours is the biggest scarecrow festival in the UK and it’s certainly the best.”

The festival, which has a Kings and Queens theme this year, will run from 10am to 5pm on both days.

Halesowen News: Her Majesty The Queen in wurzel form at Belbroughton Scarecrow Festival in 2019Her Majesty The Queen in wurzel form at Belbroughton Scarecrow Festival in 2019 (Image: Rob Pagett)

An array of imaginative straw-stuffed creations will be dotted around the village, which will host activities and attractions across the weekend including family entertainment, live music, plus fairground rides.

There will also be inflatables, food and drink stalls, tombolas, craft stalls, church bell ringing, tours of the church tower and a scarecrow trail at the event which has been a highlight in the calendar for Belbroughton since it was founded by children’s author Steve Haywood in 1996.

It has not, however, been held since 2019 due to the Covid pandemic and the death of Queen Elizabeth II last year.

The event typically attracts around 30,000 visitors over the course of the weekend and raises thousands of pounds for village charities and good causes.

Admission is £20 per car this year and visitors are advised to visit belbroughtonscarecrow.co.uk for directions to carparks.

Roads leading into and out of the village will be closed to traffic from 9am to 6pm on both days.

Access will be permitted for residents, traders and emergency vehicles.

Pedestrian entry is free.