A host of colourful straw-filled characters were on show at the weekend for the inaugural Thetford Scarecrow Festival.

Twenty life-sized scarecrows went on display at the town’s United Reformed Church, which aimed to showcase local organisations and raise money for repairs to the listed building in Earls Street.

Organisers of the event, which took place on Friday and Saturday, said they would look to run the festival again following its success.

Children and adults from a range of local groups spent hours making their scarecrows, including pupils from Raleigh Infant School and Admirals Junior School.

Children from the church’s weekly Bumps and Babies Caf�, local cubs and brownies and girls’ brigade entered a creation. The Thetford WI, St John Ambulance branch, Thetford Flower Arrangement Club, and Benjamin Foundation also took part.

The Rev Julian Sanders, minister of the URC, said they would be looking to bring the event back next year. It was followed by a harvest festival on Sunday.

“This is the first time we have had a scarecrow festival and it has been a huge success. We are doing it for the organisations to advertise themselves and we are raising money for the church. It is a 200-year-old building and there are cracks in the walls and old listed buildings need a lot of money for upkeep.

“Certainly having the students doing some of the scarecrows, a lot of children have come to church for the first time because of this,” he said.

The church was also open for light lunches and refreshments, games, tombola and a children’s harvest mouse trail.