The wacky Wray event has the theme A Moment In Time and residents and school pupils have been encouraged to create scarecrows based on people or events in history.

People traditionally deck out their homes and gardens with the wicker creations for the festival, which began in 1994 and has attracted up to 25,000 people.

Wray Scarecrow Festival

This year's event starts on Saturday April 26 and culminates in the Wray Fair from 11am on Monday May 5, featuring stalls, a dog show, a classic and military vehicle display and a traditional pipe band.

A scarecrow parade involving a samba band and the mayor of Lancaster Coun Helen Helme, will take place on Friday May 2 before winners in different categories, including the Lancaster Guardian Scarecrow of the Year Award, are announced.

Events during the festival include the annual 10 kilometre road race on Saturday April 26, which involves around 70 amateur runners from clubs across the country, and a car boot sale on Sunday April 27.

Around 70 motorbikes will be in the village on Sunday May 4 when the Harley Davidson motorcycle club pays a visit, while people can buy tickets to enter a 'ball race' along the river on the same day.

Lesley Wright, of the Wray Fair Committee, said: "Peope are looking forward to it and according to tourist information we are now a major attraction which has a knock on effect for businesses like pubs and caravan sites in the area."