Scarecrows just aren't the same anymore. Firstly, they're not scary and second they just don't seem to be interested in crows, and vice versa.

They've morphed into a whole new level within society's psyche and taken a persona more urbanised than their rural roots could account. People now flock to Scarecrow Festivals - literally undeterred by the presence of such scaremongering figurines - and are even replacing the humble garden gnome (thank you, God!) with these more endearing and imaginative garden fillers.

For most people scarecrows have not even registered on the gardening radar screen yet there seems to be a rapid following as scarecrow festivals spring up all over the world.

In Yorkshire, UK tomorrow begins the Kettlewell Scarecrow Festival that runs through to the 19 August. The festival boasts more than 100 life-sized scarecrows that have each been hand-made according to local custom.

Then, towards the end of October the Kurrajong Scarecrow Festival commences from the 26-28th west of Sydney, Australia. Situated in the Hawkesbury area this is the 11th annual festival for displaying these creations. If you would rather get involved than just be an observer the Kurrajong site even has directions on how to make your own scarecrow.

Every year, over the June long weekend, Milton, NSW hosts their annual Scarecrow Festival. And if you thought this was just left up to the Aussies and the Pom's, you're sadly mistaken.

The US has a plethora of Scarecrow Festivals - St. Charles, Illinois (Oct 5-7), Wanatah, Indiana (Sept 21-23), Marshall, Michigan (Oct 20-28) and Bayfield, Wisconsin. Even Canada's Edmonton, Alberta has an annual show.

It's a great way to honour the humble scarecrow but they're a far cry from the simple paddock-securing icons of yesteryear. And while their history certainly doesn't tie scarecrows to gardens in any formal way, their future seems intent on altering that.