RUPERT Murdoch and Pippa Middleton made surprise appearances in a village near York over the weekend – in scarecrow form.

The designs based on the media mogul under pressure and new royal Kate Middleton’s sister were among those placed outside houses and shops as part of the Elvington Scarecrow Festival.

The event ran on Saturday and Sunday and saw Duncan Muress claim first prize for his scarecrow, entitled Zombie Lawn.

Organiser Jean Ripley said: “The festival is now in its tenth year, making us one of the first villages to do something like this, and it’s still very popular.”

Money raised from the festival will go towards Elvington Village Hall.