Wacko Jacko RIP, with Evie Patterson, who is two. (0812563)

BIRDS were absent but people turned out in force for the sixth annual Torteval scarecrow event at the weekend.

More than 60 exhibits lined a trail that followed a circular route from the parish church.

Matt and Caroline Patterson were displaying a Michael Jackson scarecrow outside their home near St Philippe de Torteval.

Mrs Patterson said the pop icon died on the day they were celebrating their fourth wedding anniversary in Majorca.

‘We saw a sand sculpture of him there so decided we would make a scarecrow version,’ she said.

‘We’re not particularly fans of Michael Jackson and I think we’ve learned more about him since he died.’

Displays addressed other topical issues including the island’s financial ‘black hole’ and the 40th anniversary of the moon landings.

One of the most popular exhibits was in the douzaine room where each douzenier had made a scarecrow version of a colleague after lots had been drawn to choose their ‘victim’.

The entry won the group and business section class that was incorporated for the first time, as was a human scarecrow competition.