Damage to a number of scarecrows on display as part of Godmanchester’s annual scarecrow festival has been described as “mindless vandalism” by the event’s organiser.

The festival is run by Godmanchester in Bloom as part of the town’s summer gala and has a Roald Dahl character theme this year.

But several of the scarecrows were attacked and smashed up at the weekend.

Organiser Mary Stokes said: “It is very disheartening. People go to a lot of work to make them. I had one stolen from outside my house a few years ago and didn’t do it last year, partly for that reason.

“It is just sad. I don’t know why they do this damage when people have put a lot of time and effort into it. It is just mindless vandalism. It is a sad reflection of our society.”

Vandals have attacked the scarecrows in the past.

Mrs Stokes said: “All I can do is suggest people put them high up out of reach, but that is not always appropriate.”

She said that despite the damage, the competition was going well.

“We have had quite a number of entries and I think everyone has enjoyed the Roald Dahl theme,” Mrs Stokes said.

The scarecrows will be in place in the lead up to gala day on July 7 when the winner will be announced.

Mrs Stokes said the open garden event last weekend had been “very successful”.