FOLLOWING the huge success of Belbroughton's annual scarecrow weekend another Bromsgrove village is planning to stage a similar event - on the same day.

But the organisers claim it will not lead to a 'scarecrow war.'

Two Catshill women, Tracey Nicklin and Caroline Roe, believe their event on September 23-24, with its £50 prize for the best scarecrow, will benefit from a spin-off of visitors they hope will make the short detour to Catshill.

They also reckon it will inject some fun and community spirit into the village as well as raising cash for the local Blue Cross Animal Adoption Centre from entrants' donations .

Tracey, a mobile beauty therapist, said she hopes families will get involved and enter several scarecrows in the competition to find the best and most original.

"We have had some positive feedback so far and we are hoping people will come up with some wacky ideas," she said.

Winners will be picked by Blue Cross staff and the hand-made creations will be placed in front gardens for visitors to see.

"If successful we hope to expand the competition next year," she said.

Tracey added she believes there is room for both events and Catshill's competition will not pose a threat to Belbroughton's well established weekend.

Belbroughton launched its scarecrow weekend ten years ago, initially to raise cash for the church. Now between 18 and 20,000 visitors from all over Britain visit the event regularly raising up to £35,000 which benefits the local church, school and the community

Earlier this year Tracey's dog Beth made headlines when it was chosen to star in Annie at Birmingham's Crescent Theatre.

Entry forms for Catshill's extravaganza are available from the Flower Shop Cafe at 131 Golden Cross Lane, next to Spar.