A VILLAGE’S ‘big weekend’ returns next month.

Shadforth, near Durham City, will host a scarecrow festival, village show and sports day over the weekend of September 13 and 14.

The scarecrow festival takes place on the Saturday. About 24 houses are expected to take part, displaying their scarecrows from Thursday, September 11, until Tuesday, September 16.

Entries close on Sunday, September 7. To register, email mgineasham@outlook.com

The village show will also be held on the Saturday, in a marquee on the village green from 2pm to 5pm.

There will be 30 classes covering fruit and vegetables, arts and crafts, flowers, cookery and preserves, plus four competitions for children.

Food will be served in the village hall and organisers also hope there will be live music.

On the Sunday, the scarecrow festival continues and there will be a sports day on the village green from 1.30pm to 5pm.

The event will have a Commonwealth Games and Highland Games theme, with individual and team races for all ages, a tug of war and egg throwing contest.

For more information, call Karen Chalkey on 0191-372-3081.