Wicker man goes up in flames at Shropshire festival

The pagan-style ritual took place as part of the Sin Eater Festival.

As well as the main ritual, the event was an excuse for a weekend of music, art and beer, based around at the Bridges Pub, Ratlinghope.

It was the second time the midsummer ritual has taken place.

Crowds cheered as the effigy, which resembled a giant electricity pylon, was set alight.

Organiser David Hand said: "Last year it was a bit of fun, we talked about building a bonfire and burning it on midsummer and it went from there."

He said the 1970s Hammer Horror film The Wicker Man had inspired the event, which included music from alternative folk musicians Dead Rat Orchestra.

Mr Hand said said the festival had come about after research about the sin-eater Richard Munslow.

Ratlinghope church is the last resting place of Munslow, England's last recorded 'sin-eater' buried in 1906. Sin-eaters were people asked to eat and drink over the graves of loved ones in the belief that they would take away the deceased person's sins.

Bands from the USA, France, Italy were involved in the weekend, where crowds enjoyed glorious sunshine.

There was also photography, art and craft workshops, Sacred Harp singing, film screenings, story telling, a guided bird walk and a Sunday market.

And, most popular of all, a limited edition Sin-eater Ale by the Three Tuns was on tap for those attending the event.