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Pictured: A clown takes a seat

Villagers have something to crow about after unveiling their entries for an epic scarecrow competition.

Almost 50 straw mannequins have taken centre stage for the annual event in the neighbouring villages of Loders and Uploders in Dorset.

This year's theme is the circus with residents spending hours making impressive figures of clowns, trapeze artists and lion tamers. Others are magicians, weight lifters, knife throwers, fortune tellers and canon daredevils.

There is also a 15ft tall juggler, a woman being sawn in half and a figure of 'Mystic Meg'.

The contest runs until June 11 when a voting slips will be counted to pick the winner. The competition has been running for nearly a decade, with previous themes including musical icons and fairy tales.