There was not a crow to be seen in Eaton this weekend.

%image(14824783, type="article-full", alt="With a sporting theme to tie in with the Olympics clever creations brighten up Eaton for the scarecrow festival. "Bolt the Gate".PHOTO BY SIMON FINLAY")

For the feathered foes fled in fear - frightened away by the annual Eaton Scarecrow Festival.

All across the village, elaborate and extravagant scarecrows were proudly guarding the homes of their creators.

%image(14824784, type="article-full", alt="With a sporting theme to tie in with the Olympics clever creations brighten up Eaton for the scarecrow festival. Home owner Louise Mills with her Team GB synchronised scarecrows.PHOTO BY SIMON FINLAY")

A total of 22 scarecrows were displayed outside homes, this year with an Olympic feel.

After a tough judging process, the winner was named as Over The Hedge, of Abinger Way, a jockey scarecrow on a horse of straw.

%image(14824785, type="article-full", alt="With a sporting theme to tie in with the Olympics clever creations brighten up Eaton for the scarecrow festival. "Slalom Suzy" take too the slopes.PHOTO BY SIMON FINLAY")

Second placed was Kevin Kayak or Burhill and third was Slalom Suzy, Brentwood.

Chris Stebbing, vice chairman of Eaton Village Residents Association, said: 'There was a very good standard this year - it was a real community event.'

%image(14824786, type="article-full", alt="With a sporting theme to tie in with the Olympics clever creations brighten up Eaton for the scarecrow festival. "Bolt the Gate".PHOTO BY SIMON FINLAY")