TRAFFIC calming has taken a new turn in one East Yorkshire village as motorists drastically cut their speed - for a scarecrow.

The policeman scarecrow, one of the stars of Wetwang's first scarecrow festival, was so life-like, many visitors to the village thought it was the real thing. Created by former policeman and Wetwang resident Bill Buckle, the policeman stood on the village boundary slowing down traffic.

Organiser Anne Rabbitts said: "It proved to be an arresting sight. The scarecrow slowed down traffic considerably and has been even more effective than our flashing 30mph sign.

"Now we'd like one at the other entrance to the village."

Updated: 11:14 Wednesday, May 28, 2003