CROWS would be well advised to steer clear of a village near York this weekend.

For scores of scarecrows are set to go on display during Elvington's second annual scarecrow festival.

Organiser Tom Fitzpatrick, who is chairman of the village hall committee, said the event would help raise money towards the refurbishment of the hall, which suffered serious damage in the flooding of 2000.

He said more than 60 scarecrows went on display last year, and he hoped this year's festival would beat that number.

Two have been made by the village store, where Tom works, depicting two customers who have been coming to the shop for the past 50 years and dressed in 1950s costumes.

He said the money would be raised through the sale of brunch at the hall on Saturday morning, and of teas and soft drinks there on Sunday afternoon.

Updated: 08:39 Thursday, July 31, 2003