THOUSANDS of people who came out in force for Keevil’s Scarecrow Trail over the weekend made sure the annual event was the biggest yet, raising nearly £11,000 for charity.

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

Keevil resident and presenter of BBC’s antiques show Flog It! Paul Martin opened the event once again.

Charlotte Martin, Paul’s wife and one of the organisers of the event, said: “Considering on Wednesday it felt like a tropical storm, it was brilliant to have the weather we did.

“I think we were really blessed and the whole day was a huge success. Because we have been slowly building the trail over the last couple of years, word has been getting out about us and we are trying to compete with the bigger trails in Wiltshire.

“For me, it was a huge compliment to hear that someone from London had especially made sure they were visiting their friend in Keevil on the weekend of the trail because they said how great it was last year.”

Weekend highlights included a barbecue, bar, tea and cakes, a children’s nature trail, craft stalls, a display by Wiltshire Wildlife Trust as well as a Punch & Judy-themed puppet show.

Last year’s theme was heroes and villains and organisers hoped this year’s theme would encourage families to complete the trail together.

“The talents of the scarecrow designers was extraordinary. It was lovely to have professional artists take part as well as have-a-go parents and pupils,” Mrs

Martin added.

“I don’t know whether I would have been able to guess a few of them but I think we got a balance of cryptic ones and obvious guesses. I really liked the Wombles, Blue Peter, Paddington and Deadly 60 as they made everyone have to think as well as Ron Lester’s Doctor Who Tardis.

“A great thing about the trail was to see people enjoying Keevil in the sunshine because it is quite a quiet place but people were delighted to come and discover the village for the first time.”

The money collected will be split between Keevil Primary School, the village and a local charity and the winning scarecrow, voted by everyone that took part in the trail, was Button Moon designed by Laura Bittner and Paula Quinn.

The winner of the trail this year, which has not yet been announced, will receive £100 cash.