LORD Nelson, country life, the internet and even a locomotive are just some of the exhibits created for this year’s 15th anniversary Bisterne Scarecrow Festival.

This annual event, which takes place in the rural communities of Bisterne, Kingston and Sandford - between Christchurch and Ringwood - saw 22 scarecrows entered this year.

Festival organiser Tina Haughton said: “We get a great response every year, it is a good few hours out with the kids as they follow this map around and try to find where the scarecrows are.

“There are some of them which are really interactive as well.”

Meanwhile, Tina’s mum, Eileen Gowen, said: “We charge £1 per map and that all goes back into the fund towards the upkeep of Bisterne Village Hall.

“There’s no theme, everyone does what they like - that way we get such an assortment. We also ask visitors to name their favourites by writing them down and putting their suggestions into a red post box at the village hall.

“We will find out which one was the public favourite when the festival finishes.”

Maps of where the scarecrows are situated, available for £1, from Ringwood Gateway, Dragon Cottages - opposite Bisterne Village Hall - Texaco Garage, Crow Farm Shop and Tyrrells Ford.

It was the ancient Egyptians who used the first recorded scarecrows in history - used to protect wheat fields along the River Nile from flocks of quail. The Egyptian farmers installed wooden frames in their fields and covered them with nets.

In medieval Britain young boys or girls were used as live scarecrows, they’d patrol the fields and scare away birds by hurling rocks at them or waving their arms.

Later on farmers stuffed sacks of straw and leaned the straw man against a pole.

The scarecrow festival continues until August 28, and the village hall will be open for refreshments, 2-4pm, on Sunday, August 20 and Sunday, August 27.

After the festival the scarecrows will be put on a float at the Ringwood Carnival.