A fire-breathing dragon and a giant gingerbread man were just two of the imaginative creations lining the streets as part of this year’s Halesworth Scarecrow Festival.

Around 70 scarecrows spent the week scaring passers-by on the pavements or in shop windows as hundreds of youngsters wandered up and down the Thoroughfare, around Market Place and St Mary’s Church to see them all.

And taking the crown as this year’s winning scarecrow was a Pokemon dragon made by festival organiser Karen Prime’s husband Kevin. It took pride of place outside their restaurant, Edwards.

Mrs Prime said: “It took him just over a week to make. I gave him a bale of straw and some empty compost bags and said ‘build me Pokemon’.

“The wings are made out of chicken wire and garden hose, and he’s covered in paper mache and varnish. His fingers and teeth are made from cream horn moulds!”

The dragon included a light and sound effects, along with a smoke machine which Mrs Prime could turn on from inside the restaurant. Voted in second place was the witch scarecrow created by Gecko Shoes, and third place went to Number Seven Hair.

The event is now in its seventh year, and Mrs Prime said she has never seen the town so busy.

“We had so many more entries this year: the businesses really did get on board,” she said. “I’ve never seen the town buzzing like it was last week.”

The festival, which ran throughout half-term and came to a close on Sunday, also saw hundreds of children complete a treasure hunt around the town, finding hidden letters in shop windows.

The winner of the £50 first prize was two-year-old Sienna Taylor, and in second place was Roman Conneely who won £25 and the chance to turn on the town’s Christmas lights on November 26.

The prize money was donated by Rosedale Funeral Home, Ann Green Secondhand Book Seller, Halesworth Tourism Group, Halesworth Town Council and the Halesworth and Blyth Valley Partnership, with the festival posters printed by Durrants.

All money raised will go towards the fund for Halesworth’s Christmas lights, and further funds were raised this year through competitions and deals inside some of the shops.