THE Monkton Park Scarecrow trail was back with a bang this year with more than 500 visitors making their way around the heroes and villains themed route.

The event, which started in 2008 but took a break last year, saw people on the Chippenham estate making 42 scarecrows to raise funds for the local primary school.

The trail started at Monkton Park Primary School and took place on both Saturday and Sunday.

On Saturday afternoon there was also a barbeque so visitors could make the most of the sunny weather.

This year the trail was organised by Janine Maclean of the school's PTA committee. She said: “It went really well.

“We had a lot of people coming through and the weather was brilliant for it.

“We were really busy on the Saturday.

“It was a really lovely atmosphere and we had a lot of people from the community come along and they were out chatting which was really nice.”

Scarecrows on display included Cruella de Vil by Mrs Maclean and her six-year-old-son Zachary and Spiderman created by her three-year-old daughter Charlotte using papier mache and tights stuffed with newspaper.

Other well-known heroes and villains such as Roald Dahl’s Matilda and Miss Trunchbull, Superman and the Child Catcher from Chitty Chitty Bang Bang could also be spotted along the route.

Visitors voted for their favourite scarecrow and disgraced cyclist Lance Armstrong, which cycled when a button was pressed, came out on top with 31 of the 100 votes cast.

The event raised more than £800 for the school.

Mrs Maclean said: “We’re very happy with how much we have raised.

“We are thinking of putting the money towards some interactive white boards which the school is in desperate need of and we might also use some of the money towards a playground revamp.”

There was also a family ticket to the Roman Baths in Bath on offer for whoever guessed the most scarecrows correctly.

Former themes have been nursery rhymes and children’s television characters and the school has in the past used the proceeds to buy playground equipment and books.

Mrs Maclean said: “I’m just recovering from this year’s event but the general feeling is that we will do it again next year because it was such a lovely event.”