FAMILIES came in their droves to try and beat the Friends of Westwood School’s scarecrow trail over half term last week, which organisers said was its most successful to date.

From May 28 to June 5, more than 500 entrants bought the £3 map at Westwood village shop and took on the event, now in its fifth year, which featured 37 scarecrows with the theme of children's books.

Last year, more than £1,000 was raised for Westford with Iford School and Westwood Nursery School, but this time round more than £1,700 was raised.

Lilly Webb, one of the trail organisers, said: "With the weather on our side, this year's Westwood Scarecrow Trail week has got off to a fantastic start. By the end of Bank Holiday Monday, we had already sold nearly 300 maps.

"Everyone has been so positive about our scarecrows, with trail-goers saying this is our best year yet. Children's Books has been a great theme with people of all ages able to guess and join in the fun."

Following on from last year's Heroes and Villains trail, this time scarecrows were dressed as Harry Potter characters, Roald Dahl stories and the Mr Men books, among others.

Fellow organiser Bryony Green said: "It was very successful, we broke all our previous records which is really pleasing."

Finn Caddy, age 10, said: "I enjoyed the trail and thought it was a lot of fun. I really liked the big crocodile scarecrow."

His younger sister Jenna, age seven, added: "I think that the trail went very well and it was good fun. There were lots of clever scarecrows, but my favourite was the BFG."

The trail began and ended at Westwood Costcutter Local, in Tynings Way.