SCARECROWS dressed in an inventive array of outfits have invaded a village near Didcot.

The Scarecrow Trail in Sutton Courtenay, which features dozens of straw specimens dotted around the village, is taking place all weekend.

Trail maps are on sale for 50p during opening times at Burgrey Stores, in the High Street.

Proceeds will be donated to Sutton Courtenay CE Primary School and OASIS Autism charity.

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The trail opened on Monday and runs from 10am until 5pm daily, until Easter Monday.

A pirate, Where's Wally, a Minion and a 'burglar' are among some of the imaginative scarecrows on display.

Thames Valley Police tweeted about the trail last week, showing an officer stood next to the latter, alongside the message: "Burglary patrols have paid off today."

Families have commended the organisers of the trail on Facebook, calling for it to return again next year.

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One mother wrote on the event page: "I think it’s amazing how the village has come together for its first ever scarecrow trail, which is excellent.

"They are all fantastic and I can see all the hard work gone into making them as well as the fun.

"Both my children have had fun running around spotting all the different scarecrows, big pat on the back to all involved, well done!"

Many towns and villages in the UK have staged scarecrow festivals, and one of the most well-known annual trails near Oxfordshire is in Harpole, Northamptonshire - see pictures from last year.