VISITORS to Elvington, near York, could be forgiven for thinking the whole village has gone scarecrow mad.

They are appearing outside homes throughout the village as part of a fundraising competition to make the best scarecrows.

The competition will be judged as part of a morning of events to raise funds for the village hall, devastated by floods in 2000. The hall needed about £100,000 worth of repairs and, although much of this came from insurance, about £20,000 had to be found by the village hall committee. The committee is now continuing with a programme of fundraising events including the forthcoming brunch morning, and is hoping to raise £10,000 over two years.

Tom Fitzpatrick, chairman of the village hall committee, said: "We thought the brunch morning and scarecrow competition would be a bit different and we need a variety of events to raise the money."

The brunch morning takes place on Saturday, August 3, from 9.30am to 12.30pm. Prizes will be given out in the scarecrow competition.

For more information, phone Tom Fitzpatrick on (01904) 608264.

Updated: 10:40 Saturday, July 27, 2002