A WEST Dorset community has come to life to celebrate treasured book characters.

The Loders and Uploders Scarecrow Festival has returned for the seventh year this week. Popular literary characters have been popping up in the two villages and will be on show until Sunday.

Rachel Dunn organises the annual event with Louise Peraux.

Rachel said: "We are extremely excited at the number of entrants this year. It's our seventh year, and the numbers increase yearly.

"The bridge this year is 'The Railway Children', which was built by Martin Rush and Mike Mowatt. Maps and voting forms can be collected from the phone boxes, from The Crown Inn, or Loders Arms."

Characters this year include an intimidating Gandalf the Grey, a humongous BFG and an impressive Dracula, complete with coffin.

Pupils at Loders Primary School have created a tribute to James and the Giant Peach, while visitors to the Crown Inn in Uploders are being greeted by Rupert the Bear. Other imaginative creations include the spider from Charlotte's Web, characters from Alice in Wonderland and Dennis the Menace.

Entry is £1 and voting forms can be submitted to The Crown Inn, The Loders Arms, The Barns Yondover or Locks Hill, Uploders, or left in the phone boxes in Uploders and Loders.

All votes need to be made by Saturday, with the winners announced at the Crown Inn barbecue on Sunday at 8pm. As well as the glory there is a cash prize for the winner.

Last year's competition was won by Alison Saunders' Emily Davidson, complete with horse.