A GIANT rabbit, Hawaiian babes and Deal or No Deal boxes were just some of the whacky costumes on display at a wheelbarrow race.

Around 130 people took part in Overton's Fancy Dress Wheelbarrow Race last Friday, which marked the start of the popular Scarecrow Festival.

Creative costumes were on display as teams started in Pound Road and made their way to Overton Recreation Centre, in Bridge Street, cheered on by hundreds of spectators lining the streets as participants pushed each other in wheelbarrows.

The following day hundreds of people attended a fete at the recreation ground, which took on a donkey derby theme.

Donkey rides and donkey races kept the crowds entertained, along with a host of other entertainment including a horticultural show, performances from Hannington Silver Band and Marina School of Dance, and a variety of stalls.

As the sun went down, local bands took to the stage for Scarecrow Rocks, as people danced into the evening to the live music.

On the Sunday the fun continued with a demonstration from Solent Dog Display Team, and people could enjoy a variety of entertainment including crazy golf, target football, a coconut shy and wet sponge throwing.

Steve Williams, part of the organising committee, said: "It was the fourth and best yet Scarecrow Festival. The Wheelbarrow Race on Friday was spectacular, there were brilliant fancy dress costumes."

Villagers got into the festival spirit by creating their own scarecrows to display around Overton, and a tractor and trailer ride took people around the village to admire the humorous efforts.

Scarecrows included a crime scene, complete with chalk marking on the ground, drunk scarecrows surrounded by empty beer bottles, an archer who had fallen through his chair and shot an arrow through another scarecrow's back and one scarecrow who was made to look as if he was urinating!

Mr Williams said: "People were very creative. It was very successful. It really does put a smile on everyone's face whether you are a visitor or live in the village. We get so many people coming to look at the scarecrows."

Money raised from the weekend event will be put back into sports and recreation in the village.

*See more pictures from the event in this Thursday's Gazette.