HUNDREDS of visitors trekked around Keevil on Saturday and Sunday May 18 and 19 for the village’s 11th annual scarecrow trail.

Around 40 scarecrows were on display from 10am to 4pm, with the theme of Once Upon A Bookcase, based on books old and new.

The joint organisers of the Friends of Keevil School Scarecrow Trail Kirsty Elford and Caroline Walden said the trail had been a resounding success.

Kirsty said: “The whole weekend was a great success, we couldn’t have wished for better weather.

“We had a full team of helpers which included staff from the school and parents.

“The Saturday was our most successful Saturday so far on record, which is fantastic as we were celebrating the school being 150 years old.

“The children at Keevil School are carrying on the celebrations with party on Friday to celebrate the school’s birthday.

“The Keevil School Rocks Children’s Trail was also a huge success with fantastic feedback all round.”

The organisers were expecting up to 500 families to visit the trail over the two days and have so far raised more than £10,000 for the school and local charities.

The event is run entirely by volunteers and the money raised goes back to the school, with ten per cent of the profits going to local charities.

Charities supported in recent years have included the Keevil Community Shed team, St Leonard’s Church in the village, Cancer Research UK and the Wiltshire Air Ambulance.

Mrs Elford added: “ It’s a great, fun, family event. There were some great prizes to be won; the most correct answers wins £100 cash and best scarecrow wins £50. A children’s trail was available too with fabulous prizes so there was something for everyone.”

This year, the organisers provided a bar, a barbecue, tea and cakes, locally sourced ice-cream and other food stalls in the school grounds and sold refreshments in the village hall. They also laid on a tombola, raffle, stalls and games to raise funds.