A RECORD turnout ensured that this year’s Keevil Scarecrow Trail was the biggest yet, with thousands taking part in the annual event over the weekend at Keevil Primary School.

The trail was designed around the theme of heroes and villains, with local artists Joanna May and Eleanor O’Brien among those who created the 40 scarecrows placed around the village.

Local resident and presenter of BBC’s antiques show Flog It! Paul Martin opened the event once again, while there was also a barbeque, bar, tea and cakes, sweet shop, tombola, children’s games and raffle.

The winner of the trail received £100 donated by Sound Marketing, while there was also a children’s trail. The money raised from the event will go towards the school funds and its chosen charity, Wiltshire Young Carers.

Charlotte Martin, Paul’s wife and one of the organisers of the village event, said: “We took about £10,000 over the weekend and it was definitely a record turnout and far more than we had last year – and we thought last year was fabulous.

“The weather before the weekend had not been great and we didn’t know what to expect, but we couldn’t have asked for two better days and everyone had a fantastic time.

“It was really nice to have Andy’s Animal Encounters with his reptiles as a new addition this year on the Saturday as it gave something a bit different for everyone.

“There were a big range of scarecrows, with some really cryptic ones like James Bond, which took a while to work out, as well as Captain Hook, Danger Mouse and Wiltshire Police’s Dr Evil. Everyone did a great job and put so much effort in."

Last year’s scarecrow trail was themed around British historical figures and Ron Lester’s winning entry, depicting a character from a JRR Tolkien novel, was so impressive it ended up being sold at auction.

Mrs Martin said: “Last year’s winner made a scarecrow around Robin Hood this year and once again it was absolutely exceptional. Everyone who saw it thought it looked professional."

Mr Lester's Robin Hood design was so impressive that he won the prize for best scarecrow for the second year in a row, followed by The Saunders Family's Abraham Lincoln and Hannibal Lector by Eleanor O’Brien, who was supporting the trail for the second year.

“The whole event couldn’t have gone any better and there was a really happy stream of people," Mrs Martin added. "The atmosphere was fantastic and I want to thank everyone who came along and made it such a great event.

“I also want to thank the Longs Arms and Ashton Farm Foods, as they were a great help organising the barbecue this year, and Walter Rose in Devizes, which kindly gave us a good deal on the meat.”

For more information about the event, visit www.keevilscarecrowtrail.co.uk