A LOCAL author who has written more than 100 books for children is supporting this year’s Holt Scarecrow Trail over the August Bank Holiday.

Fresh from this year’s Edinburgh Festival, Jeremy Strong will be joining the trail on Saturday, August 25 and will be holding a book signing from 2pm in Holt Village Hall.

Mr Strong is a multi-award winning writer of books for children, including The Genius Aged 81/4 and Beware Killer Tomatoes. It will be a great opportunity to meet him and chat about his books.

There will be new titles on sale and if you already have some of his books he will be happy to sign those for you as well if you’re taking part in the trail.

Co-organiser Christine Tucker said: “We are very grateful to Juliette and Nic of Mr B’s Emporium in Bath, who are supporting the book signing and have generously offered to donate 50 per cent of profits from the sale of the books to the Village Hall.”

This year, the organisers have received nearly 40 entries from local scarecrow makers for this year’s theme Fairytales and Fables.

There will be prizes for the winner of the main trail and the children’s trail, a lucky dip for taking part in each trail, and for the most popular scarecrow as voted for by all the visitors.

Christine said: “We are so pleased with the number of entries received - we have nearly 40 so far. Some are from old-hands and some are from people new to scarecrow building.

“It’s going to be great fun walking around the village to visit them all and, of course, trying to identify them. As last year, there will be a marked shorter trail for children, with a separate puzzle for them to solve.”

The trail takes place over the Bank Holiday weekend from Saturday, August 25 to Monday, August 27. The main trail map will cost £4 and the children’s trail map £1.

Trail maps will be available to purchase from the Village Hall and from Holt Superstore during the weekend between 10am and 4pm each day. All proceeds will go to Holt Village Hall.

Christine says they have put together a super selection of prizes for the winners, including a self-discovery experience for two to the Bombay Sapphire gin distillery.

Prizes also include a family day pass for Puxton Park near Weston super Mare, free entry for three at Boomerang Soft Play, Melksham, a free bounce for four people at Bath Leisure Centre and free entry for an adult and child at Cotswold Wildlife Park.

There are also books and vouchers from local businesses, including The Tollgate Inn and The Old Ham Tree in Holt and the Old Milestone Nursery near Melksham.

For more information please message Lisa Wickes through Facebook or email Christine Tucker at christinejoantucker@gmail.com

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