A 30-FOOT wicker man is to be burned as part of a Celtic festival to do away with evil spirits.

The human-shaped effigy will be lit with a flaming arrow on Saturday – but no animals or human virgins will be sacrificed as in the 1973 cult film The Wicker Man starring Westcountry-based actor Edward Woodward.

The fire sculpture is being created at Occombe Farm, on the outskirts of Torquay, South Devon, using willow, ash, and locally coppiced hazel by artist Stefan Jennings.

Mr Jennings, a fan of the film which also starred Christopher Lee as the eccentric Lord Summerisle, said there was nothing sinister in the fire sculpture.

He added: "I'm a fan of the film but this is about burning the poor summer we've had. Besides you would need a virgin and I'm not sure you can find one these days.

"This is an alternative to having fireworks and is a cross between Halloween and Bonfire Night."

Mr Jennings, 45, from Wellington, Somerset – who is behind the roe deer and other hedgerow sculptures in the Blackdown Hills, along the A303 between Devon and Somerset – has worked with fellow artist Serena De La Hey, well-known for the wicker man visible on the M5 near Bridgwater.

Mr Jennings said: "If I had made a piece which was supposed to be permanent and it burned down, then I would be gutted. But when I know it's made to be burned, I'm not so sad.

"In fact, I think people remember fire sculptures for a long time. It's like the memory of the artwork endures.

"It's very elemental. I guess you have to be there to see it."

In the Robin Hardy film, the burning effigy is filled with live farm animals and a virgin policeman who is played by Edward Woodward.

Sergeant Howie travels to the Scottish island of Summerisle to investigate the disappearance of a young girl.

He discovers that the locals are weird and unhelpful and practice a strange pagan fertility cult.

Sgt Howie soon becomes determined to get to the bottom of the disappearance, but things on Summerisle are not what they seem.

The Occombe Farm wicker man, however, will be filled with old straw and sawdust to add a sparkling effect.

Rachel Tapper, a spokesman for Occombe Farm, said: "This is a celebration of creativity and the arts.

"Fire festivals the week before Halloween are traditional and growing in popularity. It's a way of burning away the evil spirits and welcoming the good ones."

The figure will be assembled in parts over five days.

Once complete, each segment will be connected and the sculpture pinned into the ground using stakes and bent sticks. A bonfire will then be prepared around the base of the towering figure.

The fire sculpture is set to become the main attraction at Occombe Farm's Light up the Night festival on Saturday.

The event begins at 7pm and entry is £3.50.